Backing sought for 10,000 homes across Stafford

Cabinet members on Stafford Borough Council are set to rubber-stamp the use of the three-quarters of a million pound grant to help see 10,000 new homes built alongside schools, transport links, employment areas, health provision and digital connectivity.

Highway improvements and water and energy provision is also earmarked for the development. The local authority was one of five councils, from 150 applications, to be granted the cash to build the ‘garden settlement’.

The funding is part of a £3.7 million pot to fund five new garden towns across the country.

The concept for the development, with the working name ‘Meecebrook’ at Cold Meece near Stone, will be discussed by cabinet councillors at the meeting. They are expected to approve the spending.

They will be asked by Councillor Frances Beatty, portfolio holder for economic development and planning, to approve the plans for “initial feasibility studies and programme management”.

Council leader Patrick Farrington said: “We have ambitious projects and have set out our vision to ensure Stafford Borough is leading the way in attracting investment and boosting the area’s prosperity.

“This money takes us a step further towards creating a new garden community in the north of the borough.

“This idea is still at the concept stage and the council is embarking on a new local plan which will guide development in the future.

“As the proposal progresses it would be part of the local plan process and subject to detailed consultation with residents.

“We need more homes – and the potential numbers this new settlement could accommodate can reduce the need to look for other sites to build on in our existing towns and villages in the longer term.”

It is hoped that the site could relieve the pressure of building more homes in other towns and villages across the borough, helping to retain the area’s “shire identity”.