New homes planned in projects in Penkridge

The two separate projects for Penkridge include up to 100 homes off Cherrybrook Drive and 43 living apartments – including 11 bungalows and a car park.

Both sets of plans have been submitted to South Staffordshire District Council and are set to be discussed in the coming weeks.

And they have both proved to be controversial, with a district councillor saying she has received 'a good many' letters from residents expressing their concerns.

Councillor Isabel Ford, who sits on the council's planning committee, says she is keeping an open mind about both schemes.

But the Penkridge North East and Acton Trussell councillor said she was taking into consideration residents' views.

"There are some quite legitimate concerns that have been expressed about the homes scheme which the committee and the people behind it will need to address," she said.

"The land is very close to the motorway in an open space which is obviously not ideal. Residents are also concerned that very little allowance appears to have been made for decent access to the site without upsetting the neighbours.

"These plans must be examined very thoroughly indeed."

Mrs Ford says she has been out to view the site of the proposed retirement apartments, which have been earmarked for land on the south west side of the former Rowan House, which was demolished in 2016 having been dilapidated for many years.

The plans have been submitted by retirement complex specialists McCarthy & Stone, which has several similar dwellings around Staffordshire and the Black Country.

Mrs Ford said: "There are some people against the scheme as they would rather have a care home in Penkridge rather than a private retirement complex.

"The view is that there is more of a need for a care home in the village as we don't have one here."