Plans for 70 new homes north of Stone spark objections

More than a dozen residents have objected to plans for up to 70 new homes on land to the north of Stone.

St Philips Land Ltd is seeking outline consent for the development on land to the east of Stone Road, between the A34 and the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Councillors Rob Kenney and Philip Leason have called the application in for consideration by the borough council’s planning committee, members of Stone Town Council were told at their meeting on Tuesday (September 1).

Councillor Kenney highlighted concerns about flood risk and drainage, as well as loss of agricultural land. He added: “The application raises significant and fine planning judgement, considering development of Green Belt land which is claimed to be a Grey Belt site.”

Councillor Leason spoke of the site’s role in preventing urban sprawl between Stone and Meaford. He said: “I have had a lot of feedback on this from residents around the Whitebridge Estate, particularly the ones that are facing the field.

“This land is a boundary protecting Meaford and the northern part of Stone. If this goes ahead, Meaford will be nothing more than a part of Stone – I would hope the council would strongly object to this.”

Town councillor Jason Metters said: “It’s across the way from where the EV charging site was proposed (which was refused planning permission). The wider implications on the ecosystem and all of the objections still stand.”

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said half of the proposed homes were set to be affordable housing. A new vehicle access would be created from Stone Road and there would also be public open space, landscaping, attenuation ponds and drainage systems on the land north of Stone.

The statement added: “The site is in a sustainable location, adjacent to Stone. There are a range of facilities within walking distance including a first/middle schools and nursery, pharmacy, dental and doctors surgeries, pubs and takeaways and shops.

“Given that the council cannot demonstrate a deliverable five-year housing land supply, it is the applicant’s position that VSC (very special circumstances) exist to justify the release of land in the Green Belt for development, noting the proposals will help provide market and affordable housing, as well as deliver economic benefits to the local economy, and provide public open space, enhanced biodiversity and new planting. Furthermore, the proposed development is considered a Grey Belt site and would not undermine the purposes – taken together – of the Green Belt.”

But a Bentley Close resident said: “I do not want to lose more green space, it is rapidly reducing in Stone and the surrounding areas.

“The proposed development leads directly onto the busy A34, which gets congested at the best of times, and if the M6 experiences problems then this route becomes the diversion route. It can already be very noisy.”

A Barnton Edge resident said: “In recent years Stone has had to accept substantial additional residential development, in particular near Aldi on the A34 and on Eccleshall Road, without any additional provision of healthcare facilities, particularly GP practices. It is well-known that there are only two GP surgeries in Stone having to cater for an expanding population.

“Existing residents already experience difficulties accessing GP appointments and the addition of a further 70 homes will only exacerbate this problem.”