Hundreds pack into meeting to raise concerns over Staffordshire housing plans
Hundreds of residents have packed into a community centre in Eccleshall to oppose plans for large-scale house building.
Campaigners say the plans for more than 1,000 new houses will overwhelm key infrastructure.
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In Eccleshall, 10 sites have been earmarked for development. If they were all approved it would mean 1,500 new houses. Those living in the town say that the roads are already at capacity, there are issues with flooding and sewage, and the town can’t cope with the proposed housing.
It was standing room only at Eccleshall Community Centre as residents packed in to hear about the plans and how they could object.
Campaigner Martin Peet said: “This is not about saying not here, it’s not about saying we’re against all housing. It is about proportionate house building, this is about being fair, about being responsible and it’s about protecting what makes Eccleshall a really good place to live.
“Our roads, our schools, our drainage, our healthcare, our greenspaces. The very character of this town. What I want every single one of you to remember is this; it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
“Eccleshall has fight, not angry fight, not destructive fight, but honest, the kind of fight that comes from people who love where they live and refuse to watch it change beyond recognition without proper planning, proper infrastructure and proper accountability.
“Every objection counts, every objection shows that this just isn’t one voice, it’s a whole community speaking together and when hundreds of voices speak they can not be brushed aside like background noise.”
The 10 sites earmarked for development as part of the proposals include;
ECC01: Off Cross Butts – 48 houses
ECC02: South of Stone Road – 150 houses
ECC03: Green Lane – 86 houses
ECC05: South of Shaws Lane – 32 houses
ECC06: Between Stone and Stafford Roads – 500 houses
ECC07: North of Stone Road, East of Burgage – 396 houses
ECC09: South of Shaws Lane – 55 houses
ECC12: North of Burgage – 58 houses
ECC14: North of Shaws Lane – 150 houses
ECC18: East of Castle Street – 59 houses
Other residents echoed those concerns. James Marsh, a resident in Eccleshall said: “I’ve lived here most of my life and it will completely change Eccleshall. It’s just over-development and I’m not sure how local services are going to be able to manage.”
