Controversial plans to demolish Rugeley house to replace it with two new homes to be decided this week
Councillors will decide this week whether controversial plans to demolish a house near Rugeley and replace it with two detached houses should be approved.
Objections to the proposal on Post Office Lane in Slitting Mill have been lodged by the highways team at Staffordshire County Council and 14 local residents.
It is proposed that the new buildings would be contemporary in design with an asymmetrical roof and wood panelling. Each house would have independent access, with new access created for the northwest plot.
However, the plans were objected to from the county council highways team on the grounds that the development would not be sustainable as future residents would be reliant on cars due to limited access to services and public transport. The landscape officer also objected on the ground that the scheme would cause pressure to fell protected trees.
Local residents also objected, raising concerns about the impact on the street scene, loss of privacy, and the effect on the character and appearance of the area. One representation was made in support of the development.
In recommending approval council officers stated: “The proposal is for the replacement of an existing dwelling with two new dwellings within a residential location in a defined settlement boundary. The proposal would not result in any significant adverse impact to the neighbouring occupiers in terms of overbearing, privacy or to space.
“Your officers confirm that whilst the highway authority view the proposal to not be in a sustainable location, your officers consider the situation to be no different to the existing dwelling or the neighbouring properties.
“Given the above, the benefit of the scheme being one additional dwelling within a settlement boundary on a site currently in residential use, the replacement of the dilapidated pre-fabricated dwelling with two contemporary designed dwellings and no significant impact upon the amenity of neighbouring occupiers would weigh significantly in favour of the proposed development.”
The planning committee at Cannock Chase District Council will decide the application on Wednesday (January 14).
