Plans for 510 new homes on edge of Stone are lodged
Plans for more than 500 new homes on the edge of Stone have been formally submitted to Stafford Borough Council.
Developer Bloor Homes is also proposing a first school and specialist housing for older people, as well as open space at the site off Eccleshall Road, Walton.
An outline planning application has come forward, seeking permission for up to 510 homes, following a public consultation earlier this year. If it is approved, a further reserved matters application, covering details including housing types and layout, would be submitted at a later date.
The housebuilder has said 40% of the new houses would be affordable homes and the site lies outside the Green Belt. It added that a significant proportion of the overall development site is proposed to be retained as open space and all homes are set to be equipped with air source heatpumps, solar panels, uprated insultation and EV charging infrastructure as standard.
Off-site, Bloor Homes is also proposing to invest in highways improvements at the nearby Walton Roundabout. These aim to increase capacity at the roundabout, while improving links for walkers and cyclists along Eccleshall Road, and an illustration of the proposed works indicates the existing subway underneath the A34 could be excavated and removed.
Max Whitehead, Planning Director at Bloor Homes Midlands, said: “We are grateful for all the feedback received during our consultation. It is clear that the provision of high-quality infrastructure to support housing growth is important to local people, and we are pleased to have submitted our outline plans for an infrastructure-led new neighbourhood of high-quality homes, new school, older people’s housing and outdoor recreational facilities.
“Our plans take a strategic view on the wider needs of the town and would see us invest in a programme of engineering works which will significantly increase capacity and flow at Walton roundabout. We are keen to work with local stakeholders as our proposals move forward through the planning process, ensuring that they bring the maximum benefit to the community in Stone.”
Concerns have been raised by Stone residents however about the number of new homes being proposed for the town and the potential impact on existing infrastructure. A Boundary Close resident, who has objected to the application, said: “There are already enough houses in Stone.
“This will have a negative impact on traffic (and) infrastructure. It is already difficult to get out of Pirehill Lane without any further traffic.”
The deadline for comments to be submitted to Stafford Borough Council on the outline planning application is Friday, November 14.
You can find out more about planning applications and planned roadworks where you live. Visit publicnoticeportal.uk.
