103 homes bound for former Rugeley electronics factory
More than a hundred homes will be built on the former site of an former electronics factory in Rugeley, under plans up for a decision next week.
The development, which will create over 70 jobs during the construction, is recommended to be fully approved by planning chiefs next week.
The site is the former Ultra Electronics factory, off Armitage Road.
The defence specialist firm moved from the site in 2008 to a purpose-built base at Towers Business Park in the town.
The site has been derelict since.
Developers Barratt Homes submitted a planning application for outline planning permission last year and, after receiving approval, last month applied for full planning permission.
Cannock Chase Council's planning committee will decide on the proposal at a meeting next week.
It was submitted by John MacLean, from developers Barratt Homes, who said there would be a total of 103 homes, made up of a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom properties.
The exact breakdown would be 13 two-beds, 60 three-beds and 30 three-beds.
Of these 103 homes, 10 will be classed as affordable housing.
Each property will have off-road parking.
If the detailed plans are approved then the developer will contribute about £327,000 to improve education and open spaces in Cannock Chase, according to the applicant.
A report prepared for council planning chiefs said: "The overall layout and design details are considered to be satisfactory.
"This brownfield site has remained undeveloped for over eight years since Ultra Electronics moved to new premises on Towers Business Park and the original proposed housebuilder failed during the recession.
"The industrial/office buildings were cleared but the site has been an eyesore for some time as residential development was not able to be taken forward until now. It is the largest site in Rugeley/Brereton to make a major contribution to meet local housing need and its development is therefore particularly welcome."
The report recommends for the committee, headed by Councillor Sheila Cartwright, to approve the plans.
Brereton and Ravenhill councillor Alan Dudson said he would welcome the scheme, outlining the demand for more housing in the area.
He added: "I have no objections to the scheme – we definitely need more housing."
A separate application has already been approved for more than 70 homes which will be built as part of a canalside development in Rugeley.
A mixture of houses and apartments have been earmarked for land at Wheelhouse Road and Armitage Road by developers.
