450-home estate set for go-ahead in Norton Canes

The land north of the M6 between Norton Hall Lane and Butts Lane had been earmarked for the huge project under Cannock Chase District Council’s local plan – sparking hundreds of objections.

Now, a reserved matters proposal is due to be backed by council chiefs next Wednesday.

It comes after the scheme was given outline planning permission in 2015, with the more detailed application being put forward in December last year.

Developer Persimmon Homes and Bloor Homes are behind the plans to regenerate the land.

Leader of the council George Adamson said: “We’re getting to stage where the district is starting to become pretty full.

“I would like to see affordable properties for local people as part of the project.”

“I do sympathise because the Government are making us take on a lot of extra housing to keep up with the likes of Birmingham.”

Public consultation saw 57 letters letters of representation including letters of objections against the project – with concerns expressed around traffic and the lack of infrastructure.

A report from objectors said: "The development destroys the few green areas left to the people of our community, which has been transformed from a village to a concrete jungle in a matter of years.

"The development will lay concrete and brick where green-fields, flora, fauna and wildlife were previously enjoyed by the community.

"When residents suffered the construction and implementation of the Toll road we were promised that the green buffer this development will destroy, would be there to reduce atmospheric toxins. This was obviously a lie.

"Residents received compensation for the construction of the toll road because of the adverse effect on the environment and to our health. We are now threatened by the same problem.

"This disastrous plan will create additional traffic problems for a village unprepared for the influx of traffic and people."

Fourteen per cent of the houses will be affordable homes, including some social rental properties.

Stephen Cleveley, director-in-charge of Persimmon Homes West Midlands, said: “Proposals for a new development in Norton Canes will bring much-needed homes and support jobs in the region.

"The scheme includes a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes with 14 per cent affordable housing provision.

“We realise there may be concerns, however an environment impact plan and assessment was created as part of the outline planning application and within those documents a traffic assessment was conducted.

"All of which would have been considered when outline planning was approved for the site.”