Plans to build 400 homes on former Hednesford mining pit in line for green light

Housebuilder Persimmon Homes wants to build the new housing estate at Pye Green Valley.

The site was controversially sold by Staffordshire County Council and was the location of the former West Cannock Collieries.

At the time of the sale residents and councillors were up in arms about the deal and they argued the land should have been kept as open space.

But officers from Cannock Chase Council have recommended that the scheme is approved when the planning committee meet to discuss it on Wednesday.

In a report to the planning committee, the officers states: "The layout demonstrates that the proposed scheme can accommodate 425 dwellings.

"A mix of homes will be provided, including affordable homes.

"All homes benefit from appropriate private amenity space and parking.

"Overall the proposal will deliver an attractive new residential development which will add to the range of accommodation available in the area as well as delivering 425 new homes."

The council is asking Persimmon Homes to hand over almost £400,000 as part of the deal.

The £397,116 will pay for an extra 36 primary school places for youngsters moving to the area into the new properties.

Eight people objected to the proposals when they were first submitted to the district council.

They argued that the new homes would cause traffic problems and that a well-used piece of open space popular with dog walkers will be lost if the development is built.

Out of the 425 homes, 127 of them will be classed as affordable.

The properties will be a mixture of apartments and homes with up to five bedrooms.

Some of the money used from the sale of the land by the county council is being being used to fund the development of the former Cannock Stadium site in Pye Green Road, Hednesford.

The first colliery opened at Pye Green Valley in the 1990s. The final pit at the site closed in 1982.