Planning committee to decide on development opposed by villagers

A planning committee are set to decide on plans for a residential development in a Staffordshire Moorlands village.

L&C Homes have applied for outline planning permission for the development on land adjacent to 10 Ox Pasture in Cheddleton.

Although no other details on the number of properties or other features are to be decided on at this stage, an 'indicative site layout' submitted by the developers in last week appears to show 21 buildings on the land - although details on the number of homes and other features will only be confirmed if full planning permission is sought following outline approval.

Cheddleton Parish Council have objected to the scheme - saying it would remove a 'welcome green space' in Cheddleton.

In their objection they added:  "The access proposed is not viable as it would create more traffic on an already busy road and make it extremely dangerous for existing properties to gain entry and leave their properties.

" It would also invade on the gully which is used by many people on foot to access the School and other parts of the village. There is also a further pathway which runs between the gully and Ostlers Lane which the access road would run straight through and spoil the picturesque views of the church and village beyond."

Dozens of people in the surrounding area have also objected, raising concerns about road safety and over development.

In his objection James Tatton said the proposed road access to the site would create an 'extreme additional hazard' on the road.

He added:  "Cheddleton is considered by many as a dumping ground for housing development and the loss of this little oasis of green space could be considered like an act of vandalism, children who pass through this area really appreciate the wild life habitat for numerous birds,small mammals, butterflies.

"Do not take this away from them, let the children enjoy this green quiet space before reaching further hazards near their school of the two road access without pavements."

Dan Williams added the infrastructure in Cheddleton could not cope with additional homes.

In his objection he added:  "The road system is over capacity at peak times at the moment and cannot cope with more traffic.

"Cheddleton was once a quiet village, constant development has ruined the semi rural position of the village.

"There are plenty of brown field sites in Leek and Stoke-on-Trent that can be used instead of ruining whats left of the village.

"There is no doctors in the village, the local doctors in Leek can barely cope with demand currently.

"The school cannot cope with the constant increase in demand for places, it makes it very difficult for existing residents to get places in the school having more and more houses built in the village."

In their consultation, Staffordshire County Council's School Organisation Team said St Edwards C of E Academy in Cheddleton and Westwood College were projected to have sufficient space 'to accommodate the likely demand from pupils generated by the development' if the site consisted of up to 24 homes.

However they added an Education Contribution would be requested towards Middle School Provision area as they felt St Edwards in Leek was 'projected to have insufficient space'.

In their design and access statement L&C Homes said that 'Cheddleton village is a target for significant housing growth up to 2026'.

They added:  "The application is made in outline and seeks approval of means of access only with all other matters reserved for subsequent approval.

"The proposed development lies within a recognised development boundary where there is a general presumption in favour of development.

"It will relate well to the existing area and no significant demonstrable harm would arise in respect of the proposal in relation to the character and appearance of the area, highway safety or residential amenity.

"In addition the economic and social benefits which the development would bring in terms of its contribution to housing land supply, new homes bonus, jobs in construction and the construction industry supply chain and spending in local shops would also attract considerable weight in favour of the proposal."

The public are invited to submit comments on the application until March 2 - with the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's Planning Committee currently set to discuss the application on March 7.

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