Stone MP joins fight against care home on green space

Amendments to plans for the 66 bedroom care home next to The Fillybrooks have been submitted to Stafford Borough Council.

And Stone Town Council has renewed its opposition to the proposal, submitted by LNT Care Developments.

Stafford Borough Council plans to sell off around a third of the green space between Tilling Drive and The Fillybrooks currently used for walking, football and other leisure activities by local residents. The authority has said that money raised through the sale of the land will be used to fund leisure improvements in Stone.

But there has been strong opposition to the proposal from residents. And Stone MP Sir Bill Cash has now submitted a letter of objection to Stafford Borough Council.

He said: “I am concerned that the proposed development does not comply with the Stone Neighbourhood Plan (which is yet to be formally adopted as a statutory document). The site is designated as green infrastructure as part of the Stone Neighbourhood Plan, and as multiple people have pointed out in the consultation there is little by way of play facilities for children in the area if the proposed site change goes ahead.

“The site plan shows a small deceleration lane, no acceleration lane and a very sharp turn off the A34. This appears to be dangerous considering ambulances and HGVs will have to negotiate this junction and could create an accident blackspot.

“I would also like to raise concerns that the proposed number of parking spaces would be inadequate for a 66 bed care home and may lead to further parking problems in the immediate area.

“In addition, at a time when we are becoming more aware of the importance of exercise and fresh air in maintaining good mental health, it is disappointing that a precious green space enjoyed by the whole community would be built upon.”

A report to Stone Town Council’s latest planning committee meeting said there was no change to the building or its position on the site in the latest amendments. The main changes were an increase in car parking spaces, removal of planting along the boundary with the footbridge to maintain access by the highway authority and tree protection measures to safeguard retained trees during construction work.

LNT Care Developments, based in Leeds, previously applied for permission to build a 64-bed care home on land on the edge of Stone, on a triangle of land surrounded by the A51, Lichfield Road and a small link road. But the plans were withdrawn because of a high pressure gas pipeline crossing the site.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: “Whilst currently allocated as Green Infrastructure, the land has been deemed surplus to requirements and is currently being offered for sale by the council.

“This site has been identified as commercially suitable for a new care home in terms of demand, with an under supply of approximately 110 residential care beds (excluding nursing care) within a three mile radius.”

Speaking at Stone Town Council’s latest planning committee, Councillor Jill Hood raised safety concerns about the access to the site off the A34.

She said: “I can only liken the amendments to someone using concealer to paint a pimple. The pimple is still there when the concealer is gone.

“The parking spaces are almost a joke. We know what’s going to happen – we are going to have all these cars parked down Tilling Drive.

“It’s all very well submitting these amendments but I’m afraid we are not going to address the problems we are going to have in Walton with this 66-bed care home. It is going to cause us tremendous problems.”