'It now offers fewer benefits to residents' - Burntwood councillor hits out at housebuilder's revised plan for 'Grey Belt' land
A Burntwood county councillor has criticised comments made on a controversial scheme on a housing company's website
The plans by Bloor Homes Midlands are for 250 properties to be built off Church Road, and Coulter Lane with 43-per-cent of the properties classed as affordable in a mix of social rent and shared ownership.
But Councillor Andrew Clissett, who represents Lichfield-Burntwood North, says the website suggests the land may be suitable for development under future grey belt policies.
He said: “The Bloor Homes website refers to grey belt policies, but these do not exist in current national or local planning policy - the only designation that applies to this land is Green Belt.
"Until the Local Plan is changed through the proper process, this land must be treated as Green Belt and nothing else.”
Councillor Clissett has contacted Staffordshire County Council's Highways department to request a full review of junction impacts including Church Road, Coulter Lane, St Matthews Road, Woodhouses Road, Rugeley Road, Highfields Road and the Chase Road mini roundabout.
He added: "Residents want clear and accurate information. Referring to grey belt gives the impression that this land is less protected than it actually is. Burntwood needs honest planning and proper infrastructure before further development is considered.
"The pressures on the area have not changed. The roads are already congested, GP surgeries are stretched, and parts of the site and surrounding roads are prone to flooding. There is very little public transport.
"None of these problems are addressed in the revised plans. The removal of the proposed community hub also means the development now offers fewer benefits to local residents.”
Emma Foster, senior planning manager at Bloor Homes Midlands, said “We are pleased to have submitted our outline planning application for a sensitive, landscape-led development in Burntwood.
"We are conscious of the significant local interest in our proposals and have sought to respond positively and proactively to feedback received through our community consultation wherever we can.
"We have significantly reduced the overall scale of development and removed development completely from the site parcel east of Coulter Lane. Our plans will provide extensive attractively landscaped public open spaces offering a range of outdoor recreational opportunities for the whole community."
