Final plan for Rugeley houses approved

Final plans for a housing estate in Rugeley have been given the go-ahead. Taylor Wimpey has been given permission to build 74 houses and six flats on land to the north-east of Wolseley Road.

The developer already had outline permission for the scheme at the site, between Bower Lane and Brindley Bank Pumping Station.

Yesterday at a meeting of Cannock Chase Council's planning committee, members gave approval for the final, detailed plans.

The application was due to be considered by the committee three weeks ago but was deferred to allow the developers to make minor changes to address the concerns of nearby residents.

The biggest alteration will see the site's three-storey block of flats relocated to the centre of the site, where it will be screened by the houses on all sides.

Committee chairman George Adamson told yesterday's meeting: "I know people aren't particularly happy about the development anyway but I think we've lost the argument."

But Councillor Ray Easton said he was pleased with the compromises in the revised plans.

Western Springs councillor Pat Williams said she still had concerns, but went on to vote in favour of the plans.

Some residents had objected to the plans, claiming the development was too big for the land and would destroy local wildlife.