TWO COUNCILLORS from both Wem Town Council and Shropshire are leading the fight against homes being built on flood land.

A planning application for 25 homes was approved by Shropshire Council in May 2015, on land off Roden Grove in Wem by Fletcher Homes in Shrewsbury, and he council is set to discuss reserved matters – including the appearance, landscaping and layout – for the development on March 28.

But Cllr Chris Mellings from Shropshire and Wem councils last week told a meeting of Roden Grove Action Group (RDAG), with residents from Wem and nearby Tilley, that the application should be dismissed.

“This is a development that should never have been given (planning) permission in the first place,” he said. “Residents and local councillors have always said it is not the right site and have opposed it since first being suggested.

“Previous local plans have deliberately prevented any development between Tilley and the edge of Wem and a current council report says development should be avoided – what has changed? While we have concerns on the detail, as a matter of principle we will continue to campaign against the site being developed and believe the current application should be refused.”

Wem West councillor George Nash is helping RDAG fight the development and wants Fletcher Homes – who he believes is an “innocent bystander” – to come and engage with residents over the flood risks.

He said: “This proposed development goes against all common sense rules of housebuilding – historic water meadows are what they are. I am very concerned for any potential homebuyer. They should made be aware that responsibility could be levelled at their door should any adverse flooding occur.”

He added: “I would question the validity of the reports produced for Berry’s (land agents). We urge Fletcher Homes to have a public consultation."

A spokesperson for Fletcher Homes said: "We do understand residents are concerned about surface water that sometimes accumulates on site. We would reassure them that plans for the development have taken this into account and sufficient drainage has been factored in."