AN application to build 150 new homes on farmland on the edge of Ludlow is likely to be lodged within weeks.

This follows a public consultation about a site off Foldgate Lane that attracted a large turnout of people to the Ludlow Conference Centre.

Laura Smith of Birmingham based planning consultant’s Turley says that the comments will be taken into account before the outline planning application goes in which is expected to be at the end of August.

The first stage would be to gain outline planning permission at which stage a detailed scheme would be prepared.

It is envisaged that there would be 150 new homes made to of a mix of houses between two and five bedrooms. More than 20 of these houses would be earmarked as ‘affordable’ and be in the hands of a housing association. Affordable housing can include properties with shared ownership or be available for rent.

There would also be a play area and public open space that would be available to people throughout the town and local area.

“It would provide much needed homes for families and people who want to make their lives in Ludlow,” added Laura Smith.

If outline permission is achieved it is anticipated that the developer Richborough Estates will seek a house builder to purchase the site with a detailed application arriving in early 2015.

Simon Tucker, a planning expert with David Tucker Associates who are advising the developer, said there had been discussions with Shropshire Council and the Highways Agency and subject to the design being acceptable there did not appear to be a problem in principle about access from the A49.

According to the planning consultants the equivalent of 56 full time jobs would be created during the construction phase and could provide an additional £1.7 million to be spent with local shops.