Controversial plans for 200 homes in Penkridge to get green light

Developer Bloor Homes unveiled its proposal for a housing estate just north of the centre of Penkridge last year.

The properties would be on a 24-acre site on the west side of the A449 Stafford Road backing on to Nursery Drive.

But the scheme sparked concerns over traffic noise and pollution and added pressure on an ‘overstretched’ medical centre and schools.

However, the plan has now been recommended for approval by planning officers ahead of a South Staffordshire Council meeting on Tuesday.

In a report, chief planning officer Andrew Johnson states that the impact on highway safety, schools or the doctors surgery ‘would not be significant’.

He also said it would address a shortfall in housing and continued: “The site would deliver a range of economic, social and environmental benefits.

“It would secure some economic growth, contribute to the Greater Birmingham Housing Market Area housing shortfall and boost significantly the supply of housing.

“Therefore, these are sound arguments to which I attribute significant weight in support of this planning application.

“In this report it has been demonstrated that the adverse impact on the open countryside, north of Penkridge would not be significant, having regard to impact on landscape, ecology, historic environment and archaeology, agricultural and recreational value.

“Neither is there significant harm to highway safety nor existing infrastructure – such as schools and the provision of doctors surgeries.

"There would be some conflict with the development plan as a consequence of the localised harm arising from the loss of open countryside, the loss of agricultural land, together with the impact on the existing landscape and local character.

"However, in the ‘planning balance’ this is not sufficient to significantly outweigh the benefits of boosting the supply of open market and affordable housing.”

The estate will include one, two, three and four-bedroom homes including affordable houses.