Object

Representation ID: 4487

Received: 22/12/2022

Respondent: Seddon Homes

Agent: WSP

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Not specified

The Plan is unsound as it has not been positively prepared and is not effective on the basis that it does not account or acknowledge cross-boundary sites. Site 34 Land adjacent to M6 off Ashflats Lane is a small part of a wider site that is proposed for allocation as part of Stafford BC's emerging plan.

In response to Stafford Preferred Options consultation it was raised that the extent of the draft allocation should extend right up to the borough boundary and include the flood zone area. The representations acknowledged that whilst it is appreciated that it is unlikely residential development would occur in this location, this area does provide an opportunity for landscaping and ecological enhancements, therefore, should be included in the site boundary of the allocation. This should the entire Ashflats site area including the land in South Staffordshire. The Ashflats site forms a logical extension to Stafford Town with defensible boundaries (M6 Motorway, the Stafford to Birmingham Railway and the A449 main road).

To make the Plan sound there needs to be an acknowledgement of cross-boundary sites, including the remainder of the Ashflats site (SHELAA site 034) as a housing allocation. It would also mean the plan has been positively prepared as it will assist Stafford in being able to meet its housing needs by being able to maximise delivery of housing on the northern and central areas of the Ashflats site and utilising the southern part (within South Staffordshire) to provide opportunities for ecological and landscape enhancements. Therefore, a main modification is required to Policy SA5 and Inset Map 11 to include ’Land adjacent to M6 off Ashflats Lane’ (site reference 034) as a cross-boundary housing allocation.