A last-ditch bid to save a controversial new detached home in Much Wenlock’s conservation area has failed.
An appeal by Bennett Homes against Shropshire Council’s refusal to grant retrospective planning permission for the three-bedroom house at Falcon Court has been dismissed by a Government inspector.
The decision means that the building – sandwiched between the former Barclays Bank and a cottage which are both listed – must be demolished.
Long-serving local councillor and former mayor Councillor Milner Whiteman said he was delighted with the decision.
“I hope that it is knocked down quickly as the town has suffered from this eyesore for years – it could have gone five years ago,” he said. “I am very pleased with the decision.”
Offence
More than 100 protestors had turned out at Falcon Court in February to show their opposition to the development prior to a crunch council planning meeting.
Wenlock Civic Society spokesman Howard Horseley said at the time that the building had caused greater offence than any other in the town.
Members of the committee heard that Bennett Homes had failed to stick to plans approved by the former Bridgnorth District Council.
Instead, they increased the dimensions of the house, making it 800mm wider and therefore too close to the 15th century former bank.
Following the council decision, Bennett Homes was issued with an enforcement notice requiring demolition.
Shropshire Council communications officer Gareth Proffitt said this week that the building now had to be demolished in accordance with the enforcement notice issued in 2006.
Bricklayers
“It could be rebuilt or instead reduced in size in line with the original planning permission that was granted for the site.”
Bennett Holdings spokeswoman Sally Betton said: “In some respects it is good news for us, because it will give our bricklayers something to do.
“There has been a lot of ups and downs with this project, but ultimately there is still going to be a building on the site at number 26 Falcons Court.
“Work had to stop while the plans were at appeal,” she added. “We will now take down the part of the structure that breached the plans and we will build the building that we were originally given planning permission for.
“At this stage I cannot say when the work will recommence, we will be looking at that at a later date,” she said.