Plans for 70 homes in Staffordshire given green light despite traffic fears

Highways officers pledged to tackle the extra traffic flow caused by the 72-home development at Pear Tree Community Primary School in Hardie Avenue.

An outline proposal for the scheme was given permission with conditions by Cannock Chase Council's planning committee this week.

Members also gave the nod to a linked scheme for a larger artificial turf sports pitch to be laid at the leisure centre, in Burnthill Lane.

The old Pear Tree Community Primary School site, in Hardie Avenue, merged with Flaxley Primary to form Chase View school in 2004.

The scheme is for two arms of development around the existing dwellings in Curzon Place aimed to transform the old school site that has become overgrown over the past 11 years.

And 20 per cent of the properties would be affordable properties.

Both the town council and Brereton and Ravenhill Parish Council previously raised concerns about congestion and road safety regarding the homes development.

But after planning committee members were told highways officers were looking into the concerns, Rugeley representative and planning committee member Councillor Michael Grocott welcomed the designs the much needed new homes.

He said: "I did have concerns about the amount of traffic already heading to the train station.

"The road is narrow up there and something needs to be done about Wharf Road as well.

"There is a lot of new buildings up there as well. If it's the case that highways are looking at the situation then I would welcome more building in the district and if part of the site is accessed from Hardie Avenue then I would also welcome that."

The members agreed to grant the scheme outline permission with conditions. A further full application will be discussed in the future.

Councillor Grocott said: "It was always envisages that when the new leisure centre is built, and when funding is found that a full sized astro turf will be put there.

"I am glad to see this application come in. I hope members will support it. This is for all parts of the Chase district to improve access to sports activities."

The western part of the site, owned by Staffordshire County Council, was formerly occupied by Pear Tree Primary and the buildings were demolished some years ago.

The eastern part of the site, owned by Cannock Chase Council, is also vacant and comprises of overgrown scrub land.

Both councils are working in partnership with a view to help meet the need of housing in Rugeley and Brereton.