Plans approved for new housing development

Plans to build more than 150 new homes in a Staffordshire hamlet have been approved, despite objections.

The new development, in fields off Sandon Road in Cresswell, near Blythe Bridge, will consist of 159 new homes, made up of 24 flats and 135 houses.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning committee voted in favour of approving the application at a recent meeting.

A reserved matters application from developer Elan Homes had received 68 objections, with concerns raised over issues including "over development" and three-storey apartment buildings being inappropriate for the area.

The new development will include two to five-bedroom properties, as well as a multi-use games area, a children's playground and a former club building which will be turned into a community centre and a shop.

The scheme also includes 52 affordable homes.

David Onions, speaking on behalf of the applicants, said the site would bring "significant" community benefits and that existing trees and vegetation would be largely retained, with 96 new trees planted.

He told the committee: "Members will be aware there is an acute and pressing need for further housing within Staffordshire Moorlands, including affordable housing.

"The lack of a five-year supply is significant. This site forms part of your supply.

"The report identifies that this is a high-quality design, which has been significantly refined and enhanced throughout the determination period."

Parish councillor Robert Birds, who had objected to the application, argued that the scheme, particularly the apartment blocks, would not be in keeping with the area and that planning guidelines had been "totally ignored".

"There is not one three-storey apartment in Cresswell," he added.

"Planning guidelines state that new dwellings should relate to existing buildings in terms of scale and proportion."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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