Fight over 330 homes near MoD Stafford site goes on

Stafford Borough Council threw out the proposal, which earmarks land at Sandon Road, Hopton, in March stating the applicant had failed to provide detailed plans on how transport and schools would be affected as well address potential flooding risks.

But now Maximus Strategic Land has formally appealed that decision which could see a Government Inspectorate pass the scheme.

Councillor Andrew Harp, who represents the area and is also vice-chairman of the planning committee, said: "I am surprised they have appealed to be quite honest. It (the proposal) had nothing to do with our local plan.

"But if they want to appeal it is up to them I can't foresee what the planning inspector is going to decide."

He added: "Probably eventually it will all get developed but it needs to be properly planned.

"We can't have piecemeal things going on in planning. Too many developers try to push things through without it being joined up with everything else.

"For the sake of the people of Stafford we need to be awfully careful with these applications. This has been going on for quite some time, the developers were told initially what the situation was and if they want to plough on it's up to them."

A Statement of Case document, issued on behalf of the developers by Pegasus Group, contests each of the council's reasons for refusal and concludes: "The conclusion that will be reached by the Appellant is that the appeal proposal represents sustainable development in sustainable location.

"It will be concluded that the provision of residential development is in accordance with the (Borough council's) Local Plan and policy within the National Planning Policy Framework.

"In particular, development would contribute to meeting the council's five-year housing supply, as well as meeting affordable housing needs and that on balance, this, and the other identified benefits of the scheme significantly outweigh any alleged conflict with the Local Plan and any harm identified.

"The Appellant will contend that the appeal should be allowed and planning permission should be granted."

Peter Kozac, case officer from the Government has confirmed the appeal is valid and has requested the council and developers provide information on how long it will take to argue their case at a public enquiry which has been estimated to take eight days in total.