Homes plan for green belt set to move forward

Plans for a village housing development that sparked concerns over increased traffic look set to be approved in principle.

Mohammed Saleem has proposed to build between five and nine homes on green belt land off High Street in Alsagers Bank, Staffordshire.

Eighteen residents have objected to the planning application, claiming it would add to existing traffic congestion and cause road safety issues.

A planning officer at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said it would boost the borough's supply of homes "in a sustainable and accessible location".

In his objection, Alsagers Bank resident Mick Allen said the village was struggling to accommodate existing on-road parking.

He added: "The danger of additional vehicles joining the road on a dangerous bend is already highlighted with metal, fluorescent bollards having been installed on the pavement to deter a collision on this bend - such an incident has already occurred with the boundary wall of the adjacent property.

"In addition, Alsagers Bank already struggles with significant traffic congestion at peak times of the day."

In a report to the authority's planning committee, which is set to make a decision on Tuesday, the planning officer said issues like road safety were beyond the scope of a permission in principle (PIP) application.

Recommending approval, the report added: "This site would contribute to meeting the housing need for the borough over the emerging plan period in a sustainable and accessible location which would help to boost the supply of homes in the borough."

Should the PIP application get approved, a further application would need to be submitted outlining technical details of the development, including the exact number of homes, the layout of the site and the proposed access routes.

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

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