Shrewsbury’s controversial North West Relief Road has been granted planning permission – two and a half years after proposals were first submitted.

The Shropshire Council scheme, which would effectively complete the ‘ring-road’ around Shrewsbury, was approved following a marathon four-hour meeting of Shropshire Council’s Northern Planning Committee.

Ultimately the plans squeaked through by the narrowest of margins, with the 11-member committee voting by six members to five to grant approval, with the numbers split along party lines.

All six of the ruling administration’s Conservative members voted to approve the proposal, with the Lib Dem, Labour and Green Party opposition members voting against, after earlier failing 6-5 with a motion to defer the proposal.

The meeting, which took place in the council chamber at Shirehall, had been preceded by a protest from campaigners.

It came after more than 5,000 people had submitted objections to the plans.

Around 100 people turned out with placards to make their opposition clear, although only a selection were allowed inside the actual meeting due to restrictions on space.