AN APPLICATION for 70 houses on land off Edgeley Road in Whitchurch has been re-submitted to Shropshire Council.

The area of land, known as ‘the Sponge’ owing to its boggy conditions, was subject to a planning application earlier this year.

But the plans were withdrawn by agents Berry’s, which said it would address certain concerns raised by locals and other organisations before resubmitting them.

When the application was first submitted, a statement to Shropshire Council’s planning department was submitted, saying the site was unsuitable for development for a number of reasons.

These included an increase in traffic, the wetness of the land and the presence of water voles on the site.

The plan’s have once again been submitted by Berry’s, but concerns have already been raised by residents.

Councillor Andy Allen is chief among those worried by the nature of the application, questioning the need for more houses in Whitchurch and adding that the same issues from last time still persist.

“The main objections to building on this site remain the same,” said Cllr Allen.

“The site is waterlogged, access is problematical to say the least and the water voles would be under threat from disturbance.

“There is no need for extra housing in Whitchurch.

“We already have several developments on Chester Road and Wrexham Road and more are planned for Waymills.

“This would remove one of the few fields remaining on this side of town, thus increasing urban hotspots and removing carbon capture.”

The original plans were backed by some members of the community though, including Neil Moore from the Whitchurch Walkers who said the development “would provide a significant short cut to the primary schools, railway station and town centre and would do much to reduce vehicular movements in Edgeley Road.”