To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Garry Burchett, Steve Charmley and Nat Green.

Councillor Roy Aldcroft substituted for Councillor Burchett, Councillor David Evans substituted for Councillor Charmley and Councillor Nigel Hartin substituted for Councillor Green

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 25th October 2023.

There were no public questions received within the parameters of the Constitution

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Councillor R Evans stated that he was the Chairman of Hanwood Parish Council where the application had been discussed but that he would make his decision based on the information presented and the debate that takes place.

Councillor R Evans questioned whether reports on the Oxon Link Road should have been included in the list of background papers in the report.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that the background papers usually referred to previous planning reports and as the Oxon Link Road had never come to a planning meeting that was why it was not listed.

Councillor R Evans commented that a number of Councillors had held the post of portfolio holder responsible for highways over the time of the application and asked why they had not been listed in the report. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that it was only the current cabinet member that was listed in the report.    

North West Relief Road scheme. comprising - construction of 6.9km single carriageway (7.3m wide) road; severance of local roads and footpaths; provision of combined footway/cycleway; erection of three bridged structures over carriageway; diversion of existing bridleway/footpath via an underpass; climbing lane on westbound approach; 670m long viaduct; bridge over railway; two flood storage areas; provision of two new roundabout junctions and improvements to two existing roundabouts; associated traffic calming measures, landscaping and drainage schemes.

The Planning and Development Services Manager introduced the application for the North West Relief Road scheme comprising - construction of 6.9km single carriageway (7.3m wide) road; severance of local roads and footpaths; provision of combined footway/cycleway; erection of three bridged structures over carriageway; diversion of existing bridleway/footpath via an underpass; climbing lane on westbound approach; 670m long viaduct; bridge over railway; two flood storage areas; provision of two new roundabout junctions and improvements to two existing roundabouts; associated traffic calming measures, landscaping and drainage schemes. The Consultant Planner then took Members through the details of the report.  He advised the meeting that several routes had been considered over the years and that the scheme before Members had been chosen as it causes the least amount of environmental damage.  He outlined the main issues which included visual impact, pollution, noise and climate change, and confirmed that 9 veteran trees would be lost but that a compensation strategy had been developed which included a 6:1 replacement ratio. He also referred to the loss of an area of wet woodland which could not be replaced due to the special ground conditions but that as mitigation an additional area of broadleaved woodland had been included.  The Consultant Planner advised the meeting that independent consultants had been engaged to review the Environmental Impact Assessment to ensure that it was robust and comprehensive, and overall it was considered that the application was in accordance with the Development Plan and therefore it was recommended for approval.

Scott Bracken on behalf of Morris Leisure Ltd. spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services read a statement on behalf of Rachel Denyer against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Tina Teearu spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Frank Oldaker spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Heather Streetley spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Paul Everall spoke in favour of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

John Gittins spoke in favour of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Cllr Nick Bardsley spoke in favour of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Daniel Kawczynski MP spoke in favour of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Dave Green on behalf of Better Transport Shrewsbury spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Will Read on behalf of the Dalton Drive Residents Group spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Peter Gilbert on behalf of Sustainable Transport Shropshire spoke against the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

To note that the next meeting of the North Planning Committee will be held at

2.00 pm on Tuesday 7 November 2023 in the Shrewsbury Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

It was noted that the next meeting of the North Planning Committee would be held at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 7 November 2023 in the Shrewsbury/Oswestry Room, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.