COUNCIL chiefs have backed a proposal for a housing development in Cleobury Mortimer, despite massive opposition.

And work could start at the end of the year if landowner Shropshire County Council can provide about 43 affordable houses as part of the project.

The proposal for 70 houses and a recreational area near Lacon Childe School to fund a £1 million plan for sports facilities at the school has triggered 243 letters of complaint.

Planning boss James Caird said: "Planning permission was granted by the South Shropshire District full council subject to first, a planning agreement with the landowners on the delivery of affordable housing as part of the scheme, which could take a few weeks to complete.

"And second, the proposal has to be sent to the First Secretary of State to see whether he wants to call the application in for his own decision."

He added: "If this happens there will be a public inquiry which will take up to a year to complete.

"In the case of the first agreement, work might start on site by the end of 2003 but if the second one occurs, work may be as late as early 2005."

And more than 300 people have also signed a petition opposing the scheme amid fears it will cause increased traffic congestion.

But the district council has backed the applicant, who believes the scheme is vital to the success of the school - which is a specialist sports college.