THE affordable homes on a major development on the outskirts of Ludlow will be blighted by noise and pollution, it is claimed.

Councillor Andy Boddington says the plans for the a 213-home development between Bromfield Road and the A49 reveal ‘discrimination’ is taking place.

The principle of the development was approved at a public inquiry and cannot be challenged, said Councillor Boddington, who represents Ludlow North on Shropshire Council.

“However, the details of the scheme are very much up for debate and negotiation. One of my main concerns about this development is its treatment of affordable housing.”

New developments are required to have a proportion of the homes designated as affordable which can mean for rent or shared ownership

“Thirteen of the 28 affordable homes planned are squeezed into a triangle between the railway, Bromfield Road and the A49.”

“These homes will be blighted by noise and pollution. “Poor doors, developments where social housing is distinctively different and with reduced access to amenity, have been common in major cities.

“It now seems that this practice, that Mrs May wants banned, looks set to spread to Ludlow.”

Mr Boddington also believes there should be no place for this kind of discrimination.

“In London and some other cities, new developments have discriminated against social tenants by introducing what are known as poor doors,” added Mr Boddington.

“These separate residents in affordable housing from private purchasers and leaseholders.

“In one notorious case in Southwark, affordable housing was provided off site because the property company said it wasn’t viable to provide separate entrances and doing so would have significant implications on the values of the private residential properties.

“In other developments, social tenants are denied access to courtyard gardens and car parking and must enter apartment blocks through side door.”

The councillor also wants to see more social housing on the site.

“The developers at Bromfield Road are only aiming to provide 13 per cent affordable housing not the 15 per cent required by Shropshire Council’s policies,” added Mr Boddington.

“This shortfall denies four households an affordable home in an area where affordable housing is in short supply.”