Houses will be built on a former bowling green after plans were approved by councillors.
Shropshire Council’s southern planning committee voted through the proposals for the site next to the A458 in Ford to be developed for two detached properties, despite hearing objections from the parish council and local councillor.
Planning officers told the committee that Sport England had not objected to the plans as the bowling green had not been in use since 2015.
But Councillor Alistair Horn, vice chair of Ford Parish Council, argued that the presence of a bowling green in the village had contributed to Ford being designated a ‘community hub’ in the council’s new local plan. The classification means there will be an expectation of development after the new plan is adopted next year.
Councillor Horn added that there was “no requirement and a lack of appetite for further development in Ford”.
Councillor Roger Evans, who represents the Longden division on Shropshire Council, told the committee that the community wished to see the bowling green retained.
The parish council had attempted to buy it when it was put up for sale by the previous owners but was unable to see the purchase through, he said.
Stuart Thomas, agent to the applicant, argued the site was within walking distance of local amenities and in a “cluster of properties” next to the Smoke Stop.
Mr Thomas also pointed out that there was another live planning application for the site to be turned into a builders’ storage yard.
He added that the applicant had offered to make a £34,000 contribution towards local affordable housing despite this not being a legal requirement.
The committee voted to grant outline planning permission. A new application will now be submitted setting out the detail of the scheme.
Councillor Richard Marshall said: “The site does look relatively untidy. I think it would be a good use of a piece of land that can no longer be used as a bowling green.”
Councillor Nigel Lumby added: “I think we have to be mindful that we can have two beautiful houses there or we can have a builders’ yard that’s going to look really ugly next to the pub and next to the nice village of Ford. Because of that I will take the two houses.”
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