Norton Canes 130-home plan given green light

A 130-home development on green belt land in Staffordshire has been given the backing of planning bosses despite concern over too few affordable housing in the scheme to transform the rundown site.

Members of Cannock Chase Council's planning committee unanimously backed proposals to transform eyesore land in Norton Canes. But some said they would have liked to have seen more affordable homes.

Original plans for a housing development on the site were withdrawn amid opposition from residents, but councillors agreed the revised scheme "met the aspirations" of villagers.

However, they claimed the inclusion of 18 affordable properties in the development was not enough.

Work cannot begin at the 20-acre siteuntil the National Planning Casework Team formed by the Coalition Government gives the go ahead.

Paul Campbell, representing developer Richborough Estates, told yesterday's meeting: "These will be predominantly family homes integrated with the rest of the village."

Cannock North ward representative Councillor Frank Allen said: "We built 150 homes on the Elizabeth Road estate, and 50 were affordable homes. I would like to register my disgust that there are just 14 per cent on this development."