A controversial planning application for 65 dwellings in Ellesmere has been given the go ahead, despite objections that it could put 'unsustainable' pressure on a 'rat-run'.

Shropshire Council's north planning committee met last week to discuss the hybrid application to convert the Old Railway Station building into seven apartments and to build 58 dwellings in Brownlow Road.

Homes England, the applicants, were granted permission but the application was met with objection from Ellesmere Town Council, residents and local businesses.

Judith Williams, a town councillor, noted Ellesmere Council's consistent objections to the planning application.

"The additional 65 dwellings' vehicles exiting on Brownlow Road will be dangerous," she said.

"It will put extra pressure on our doctors and primary schools, as well as the roads – Brownlow Road is already a rat-run. There are high volumes of traffic and cyclists, and there was an instance of a child being knocked off his bike.

"The location of the site is unacceptable and will be noisy and disruptive once built and will have a negative effect on drivers in the town."

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Councillor for Ellesmere, added that although Ellesmere supports the development of brownfield sites in the town, this access was unsuitable.

"These houses will create around an extra 100 car movement and Brownlow Road is a major walking route to the primary school and Lakelands Academy which makes it a worry," she said.

"The traffic flow at Trimpley Street pinch-point is already under a lot of pressure.

"I'm pleased to see the Railway building being put to use, but I foresee issues with the larger estate."

Councillor Steve Davenport said that although this type of property is superb for Ellesmere, he is "totally against" the highways access.

"I suggest it has to be £150,000 minimum to open the site," he said, as opposed to the £10,000 that the applicants stated.

"You can't get down Brownlow Road – cars park on the roads or pavements, its a single carriage way all the way down.

"Surely we've got to go back for more highways input otherwise this will just cause gridlock in Ellesmere."

However Darren Venables, who spoke for the agent, said that highways has raised no objection with the access.