A JUDICIAL review has been launched over potential developments at Pauls Moss.

The Whitchurch site is currently earmarked for development into a new health centre and campaigners have successfully managed to save the historic Pauls Moss house from being demolished as part of the plans.

But despite this initial victory, campaigners are still unhappy with the direction of the plans, and have launched the judicial review.

Paula Fraser, from Save Pauls Moss says she brought about the judicial review to protect the future of the site.

"The last thing I wanted to do was bring a claim for Judicial Review," said Paula. "But unfortunately once planning permission was granted and the possibility of a non-litigious resolution discounted by the other parties, there was no other option available to me to try to protect the conservation area and the amenity of the current and future residents of Pauls Moss.

"Shropshire Council have granted permission for a development which contains far less open space than their planning policy requires, with the justification that the intended residents are elderly and/or in need of care and therefore won't need the same space provision as those who don't share these characteristics.

"This approach to policy is not only unfair but also unlawful, discrimination which is contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

"Further, Shropshire Council is bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and has failed to have due regard to its duty under section 149 of the EA to eliminate discrimination and advance equality of opportunity.

"These issues form the main grounds for my application for Judicial Review.

"As I have repeatedly stated, I am in no way anti-development, I believe that the proposed new health centre, 'extra care' housing and community hub represent necessary and desirable progress for the town.

"However, I feel that the benefits of these facilities would be all the greater if delivered in a differently designed scheme. A development more sensitive to the area, with architecture of a less institutional style and far more open green space.

"This is why I and others involved in the 'Save Pauls Moss' campaign commissioned renowned architect and urban planner John Burrell to draw up alternative plans for the Pauls Moss site.

"These plans offered the same quantum of development whilst still providing considerably more usable open space than both the original and revised Wrekin Housing Trust proposals.

"For people of all ages, abilities and disabilities, the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors in natural surroundings are well documented.

"I believe the 107 future occupants of the extra care housing at Pauls Moss are all entitled to on-site high quality, usable green space in which to socialise and exercise, to enjoy plants, birds and wildlife, perhaps even grow some fruit and vegetables.

"These are not things that the approved over-scaled development and its small areas of open space and utilitarian landscaping, lends itself to.

"My sterling legal team and I are currently awaiting news on whether we have permission to proceed to a substantive hearing in the High Court.

"Should we be granted permission, we hope that the presiding Justice will agree that the Council acted unlawfully and therefore quash the planning permission.

"Maybe then, third time lucky, we will finally end up with the Pauls Moss development the town and its people are due."

Shropshire Council was unavailable to comment.