A DEVELOPER wants to build nearly 140 new homes on the outskirts of Ludlow.

Not just that but a quarter of these are earmarked to be ‘affordable’ which means rented or for shared ownership.

One of the major problems in Ludlow and south Shropshire is the shortage and high cost of housing, making it difficult for young people to stay in the area.

With a lack of labour because of the shortage of housing, it is difficult to get employers who might bring more permanent and higher-skilled jobs into Ludlow and south Shropshire.

A consequence of this is that the area has a disproportionately elderly population and high-cost housing, although wages are actually below average.

Existing property especially around Ludlow town centre tends to be priced out of the range of ‘ordinary’ families, hence the relatively high number of people who come to live in Ludlow from the outside.

In many ways, Ludlow benefits from the incomers who despite not being local often have a genuine interest and love for the town and are keen to play an active part in its activities. On top of this, they bring with them disposable income that is important for shops and other businesses.

But that does not alter the fact that there is a need for more housing, both for people to buy and to rent.

Therefore, one might expect that the developer who wants to build 140 new homes would be welcomed with open arms but not a bit of it.

In fact, the proposal gets thrown out by the local planning committee. Fortunately, the proposal is taken to an appeal and the planning inspector has over-ruled the local planners.

This has resulted in some very strong language, including the suggestion that it means the end of local planning.

However, some might suggest that if local planning means that new homes are rejected then a good thing too if it comes to an end.

In case those who threw out the development – most if not all of whom doubtless have a home, thank you – had not noticed there is a housing crisis in this country.

For many young people, even those from middle-class homes and in decent jobs, the dream of owning their own home is likely to remain just that.

The fundamental problem is one of supply and demand or, to put it simply, there are just not enough homes being built.

Therefore, unless there is an exceptional reason to say no, then surely there should be a presumption that applications for housing schemes should be approved.

Some will say that there are not sufficient local services and, if this is the case, then the answer must be to provide the services not reject the housing schemes.

There will also be the argument that the demand for the homes simply does not exist, but this begs the question that if this is really the case why would a commercial developer want to build them in the first place?

Ordinary families in and around Ludlow have cause to be thankful that the planning inspector has seen the bigger picture and is allowing the development to go-ahead.