170 more homes on way in huge Penkridge estate scheme
Swathes of land will be turned into homes in South Staffordshire, after planning chiefs gave the nod for a scheme to more than double the size of an already-sprawling development.
The proposals will see the Lyne Hill Industrial Estate in Boscomoor Lane, Penkridge, transformed.
South Staffordshire District Council last night gave the nod for a second plan for 170 homes, swelling the overall number being built to 335. Last year permission was granted for 165 homes and a care home on the site.
Originally developers had proposed a £20 million scheme including a supermarket, hotel and petrol station but district councillors only gran-ted the houses and care home included in plans.
Simon Hoare spoke at the meeting on behalf of landowners and applicants Northcreek Estates Penkridge Ltd. He said the refused retail development was currently the subject of an appeal but that action would be dropped if the alternative homes scheme was approved in its place.
Councillors decided to award the latest proposals permission despite concerns raised by ward councillors Isabel Ford and Leonard Bates.
Councillor Ford, of Penkridge North East and Acton Trussell ward, said members should not see most recent proposals as 'the lesser of two evils' but decide on the plans' own merits.
She claimed the potential numbers of people living in new homes would place extra demand on amenities which were already struggling to cope – including the nearby medical centre and Boscomoor Shopping Centre.
She also said that the play area on the west side of the A449 Wolverhampton Road which planning officers had highlighted could serve families attracted to the area was only built to serve the estate nearest to it.
Councillor Bates, of the same ward, called for developers to cut the 'density of the homes to allow more space for new amenities needed'.
Penkridge South East ward Councillor John Raven however underlined Penkridge needed to have 370 new homes built in the coming years under adopted planning policy, and this scheme would help towards that goal.
He welcomed Mr Hoare's pledge at the meeting that a minimum of 11 new bungalows would be included. New plans also include the creation of a village green, several ponds and other open spaces on the 24-acre site.
