New homes plan for former Stafford Alstom site set for go-ahead

Development chiefs at Stafford Borough Council have been urged to approve an application for up to 85 homes at the former Alstom and GE Grid Solutions site off the Fairway and St. Leonards Avenue roundabout.

But the 'hybrid' bid could also pave the way for three times as many new homes in the area down the line - while permission for a 194-home estate east of the plot has already been given the go-ahead.

Council officers have recommended the planning committee grant permission for St. Modwen's scheme when it is decided a week today - Monday (June 12).

Forebridge ward councillor Christine Baron, sits on the committee, but said she would forego her vote in order to express residents fears; particularly about the impact on the roads.

She said: "Locals are very, very concerned. You have already got cars parked on both side of the road in the area and nasty bends.

"People are obviously concerned about the amount of extra vehicles.

"The whole highway situation around here is horrendous.

"There is a lot of elderly people living there who aren't good on their feet as well as children going to school.

"This is a real, real worry."

Councillor Baron added: "I am not against the houses themselves, yes we know Stafford needs more homes.

"But there has got to be investment in the infrastructure first. The highways authority (Staffordshire County Council) needs to take a holistic approach to the whole of Stafford.

"Something has got to be done because things are becoming very serious now."

The plans were unveiled at a public exhibition in March last year promising in the region of 300 homes in total at the site as well as land directly to the east. Although now the developer has backed away from giving any specific number for the wider scheme.

A planning statement from council development officers says: "This is a hybrid application which seeks full planning permission for 85 dwellings on the front part of the site fronting Fairway and an outline application with all matters reserved for the remainder of the site.

"The exact number of dwellings proposed for the outline part of the site remains unknown at this stage.

"The site forms part of a wider development site where outline permission and reserved matters approval have already been granted immediately to the east of this site for residential development."

Council officers have concluded: "The principle of the development is considered to be acceptable. The adjoining part of the site already benefits from permission for residential development. There are no objections raised by statutory consultees."