Pledge over homes on Cannock Chase

The boundaries of Cannock Chase are "sacrosanct" and the beauty spot will be protected from encroachment by developers, the council leader vowed today.

Councillor George Adamson today responded to claims a 130-home development on green belt land in Norton Canes could be just the "thin end of the wedge" – and eventually threaten the Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Former district councillor Graham Burnett claimed granting permission for the scheme would set a precedent.

Former Conservative councillor Mr Burnett lost his seat on Cannock Chase District Council earlier this year.

And Councillor Adamson has strongly rejected the claims.

"That land is sacrosanct, we will oppose any attempt to build on it," he said.

"The problem we have is that the Conservative-led government has said we must provide 5,800 new homes in Cannock Chase over the next 15 years, and if we don't keep to that then the government inspector will throw out our local plan which means there would be no regulation and it would be a free-for-all for developers."

Councillor Burnett said he believed future developments such as plans to build more than 700 new homes in Hednesford could threaten the Chase.

Mr Burnett said: "This is the thin end of the planning wedge now that Labour have unopposed control of Cannock Chase District Council. Last year members of the planning committee threw an application out on the Norton Canes site after considering it an unwarranted intrusion into green belt.

"Now they are unshackled and faced with the reality of protecting our valuable Chase."

By Richard Woodall