Plans to build 73 houses in Whitchurch have been scrapped amid fierece opposition from the local community.

The initial plan had been to build the homes near Prince William Close, but the plans had been scrapped following opposition from residents, Whitchurch Town Council and Shropshire councillors.

Whitchurch residents voiced their objection at the town council meeting held on Thursday, April 21.

One resident Nicola Smith said she was concerned by the impact on traffic around the land, which is also bordered by Whitchurch Alport Football Club.

She explained: "It is increasingly apparent that cars, emergency services, tractors and HGVs have great difficulty in passing parked cars in Talbot Street in Whitchurch.

"This has become an extremely busy road in recent years and aside from access there is additional weekday traffic, both vehicular and people traffic due to its proximity to the school.

"In addition we have match day traffic with Whitchurch Alport at Black Park Road.

"Tractors with heavy machinery attached and HGV's try to squeeze through openings where it is not an option and regularly hold up all of the mornings traffic.

"This typically ends with the driver of a parked car being found to move their vehicle and park on the pavement.

"Residents vehicles are regularly scratched and bumped and I have had many instances of this.

"All in all, the infrastructure for any new housing estate is just not a viable option.

"An additional 70 plus dwellings would cripple an already failing system."

Whitchurch residents were supported in their opposition to the development by Whitchurch Town Council and Councillor Tom Biggins from Shropshire Council.

Whitchurch Town Council said it discussed the development at its monthly town council meeting on Thursday, April 21.

A spokesman for the town council explained: "Whitchurch Town Council discussed the application at the full council meeting on Thursday, April 21 following a number of representations from the public.

"It was resolved at the meeting to object to the application because of the increased levels of traffic volumes without a sustainable plan to mitigate them

"Also, the proposed development being outside the current site allocations and development management (SAMDev) area, and access to the site is unsuitable to meet visibility splays.

"Also, the welfare and safety of residents in nearby housing, given observations above."

Shropshire councillor Tom Biggins added: "The site is outside the Whitchurch development boundary.

"The site is not in SAMDev nor has it been identified as suitable in the emerging Local Plan.

"This area of the town is saturated with traffic movements and cannot sustain more traffic journeys.

"The pinch points are particularly Talbot Street and Egerton Road.

"As this is such a controversial application, as a local councillor, I am requesting that it should be determined by the Northern Planning Committee and refused."