Norton Canes scheme creating 65 homes back on the table after two-year delay

Outline plans for 65 houses in Burntwood Road, Norton Canes, are now in place and will go to Cannock Chase councillors on Wednesday.

Residents said they opposed the development over concerns people's safety could be put at risk.

They are worried about the proximity to Norton Canes High and primary schools and how people would be affected by parking problems and congestion.

The also said they were worried about a lack of capacity at doctors' surgeries and schools and that they would lose privacy.

Residents from nearby Legion Close raised concerns about being overlooked and noise from new families moving in close by.

A fifth of the homes will be classed as affordable at the site, which has been earmarked for development for more than 30 years.

It was originally marked up in the Norton Canes Local Plan in 1984 as having capacity for up to 90 homes.

Norton Canes Parish Council has also said it has concerns over the development.

They include a worry that the site is too small to include all the homes and that residents in bungalows at the back of Legion Close will be affected by noise from builders.

It also worried about flooding from a nearby book which 'needs resolving' before the development is given the go ahead.

Education bosses at Staffordshire County Council said they would expect 26 school pupils to move onto the estate.

They would include 14 primary school pupils, 10 high school pupils and two who would be of sixth form age.

Cannock Chase District Council planning officers recommend the plan is given the green light when it goes to the authority's planning committee at its Civic Centre.

In July 2014, the application was considered by councillors, subject to a finance agreement and an additional condition over developers' reptile mitigation strategy.

That was recommended by members of Staffordshire County Council's highways department.

Council officers have said once the application is approved there must be no building between 7pm and 7am between Monday and Friday, between 1pm and 7am on Saturdays and no time on Sundays or bank holidays.

Natural England has suggested, in correspondence sent to the council, that a 'holistic approach' is adopted for the development so wildlife is left undamaged.