Shropshire Council Opposes Enfield Housing Plan for Stoke Heath

Shropshire Council has objected to Enfield Council proposals to place families owed housing support in homes at Dutton Close, Stoke Heath, saying the rural site lacks transport, services and community facilities needed for residents to settle. The properties are currently available to rent or buy on the open market.

The proposal follows the withdrawal in July of plans to use the same new-build homes for up to 83 asylum seekers after local opposition and intervention from the Home Secretary. Shropshire Council said it cannot legally block private rental arrangements made by landlords and households.

According to Shropshire Council, it formally raised concerns with Enfield Council and said Dutton Close was not a suitable location for the placements. The authority said the area has limited transport links and no nearby community facilities.

An unidentified Stoke Heath resident described the reaction among some locals after learning about the proposal.

"We're terrified, this is the second time now that we have had to worry about where we live." an unidentified woman said.

Another unidentified woman said residents lacked information about who could move into the area and argued the homes should be available to local families.

"It's just the unknown, we don't know who we are going to get here, we're just not told anything." an unidentified woman said.

The resident said she understood property owners needed to make a profit but believed the homes should be offered locally at affordable prices.

"reasonable price" an unidentified woman said, describing where she believed the homes should be offered to local families.

"All along they were geared for the local people that's how they got the planning in the first place," an unidentified woman said.

She also expressed concerns about the effect of the uncertainty on the village community.

"It's putting the fear of God in everybody they're really unsettling us over this," an unidentified woman said.

Another resident questioned why families from Enfield were being considered for homes in the Shropshire village while local housing needs remained.

"We want to see these houses filled with families, but not people from Enfield. Why Enfield? I don't just understand it when we've got a waiting list here." an unidentified woman said.

Mark Gilbert, a Stoke upon Tern parish councillor, said transport access would be a major issue for people moving from London to the area. He said local estate agents had indicated there was demand for the properties.

"would happily market these properties because they've got a database of people who want them" Mark Gilbert said, referring to comments from local estate agents.

Gilbert also said the development had become associated with controversy despite being a desirable place to live.

"Dutton Close is a lovely, lovely area to live, but I feel deeply sad that again Dutton Close is hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons." Mark Gilbert said.

Shropshire Council said the location created difficulties for families needing access to support and services.

"The site is poorly connected, with limited access to transport, services and other essential support" a Shropshire Council spokesperson said.

The council urged Enfield Council to reconsider the proposal while acknowledging it did not have legal authority to stop placements through private rented accommodation.

Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, also criticized the plan and described Dutton Close as unsuitable.

"a completely inappropriate site" Mark Pritchard said.

Enfield Council said it was reviewing housing options because of pressure on accommodation availability and confirmed that no households had been placed at Dutton Close.

"significant accommodation pressures" an Enfield Council spokesperson said, describing the challenges facing the authority.

Enfield Council said any tenancy arrangement would be a private agreement between landlords and tenants rather than a lease held by the council, and no final decision had been made on the site.