Housing estate may begin despite gripes

Building work on a controversial new housing estate earmarked for Staffordshire could begin within months after developers lodged their final plans with the council.

Land to the north east of Wolseley Road, between the junction of Bower Lane and Brindley Bank Pumping Station, Rugeley, is subject to plans for 74 houses and six flats.

Outline permission giving consent for the development in principle has already been granted, but the latest application concerns the final design of homes.

Planning committee councillors originally voted "no" to the outline plans in 2009 after nearby residents campaigned for them to be rejected - despite clear warnings from a council legal officer that an appeal would almost certainly succeed.

The planning inspector overturned their decision and the bill for hiring consultants to fight the councillors' case topped £19,000.

Taylor Wimpey is now hoping to start construction work in October and make the homes available for sale in 2013.

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Western Springs councillor Robert Meaden said: "We turn it down and then somebody from another part of the world comes along and says it can happen anyway. The trouble is they don't have to suffer the consequences, like an increase in traffic."

Councillors and residents have expressed fears about the impact on traffic and wildlife, as well as a lack of green space for youngsters.

Cannock Chase Council planning officer Mazer Aqbal said plans could still be refused if it is found the final plans do not comply with planning rules.

"Their original application was outline, so the principle and the access arrangements were considered appropriate," he added.