Object

Representation ID: 5267

Received: 21/12/2022

Respondent: Mr Brian Wyatt

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

The Local Plan fails to reflect its own Site Requirements in Appendix C and has not met its obligations in Policy EC11. Site 036c, land south of Stafford, is remote from education, health, sports, and recreation facilities. the nearest facilities are located within Stafford Borough. It is not within the gift of SSDC to ensure provisions are requirements. It is understood that SBC representations relate to their lack of resource for these requirements over and above their own requirements to meet the demand from substantial house building in the borough.

The only viable public transport options from the site are in to Stafford. Use is already excessive with extensive delays at peak times.

If proposed residents are to use the Acton Hill Road towards Dunston, Penkridge, or M6 Junction 13, this is a narrow lane with poor sight lines and is already congested with private and commercial traffic. It is not safe for cyclists. Acton Trussell is already affected by 'rat-run' traffic from Stafford through the the M6 seeking to avoid the congested A449.

SSDC have generated an appearance of consultation with SBC, when in reality the consultation has been rushed and is a single presentation of what has already been decided.

There is no requirement for houses on site 036c other than the meet now rescinded government housing targets and provision for the Black Country. The site is remote from the Black country. The site is contiguous with Stafford which is already committed to over 7,000 houses on brownfield sites.

The site is valuable farming land and a biodiversity link.

The location of site 036c is considered not legally compliant, sound, or compliant with the DtC. This is due to over reliance on infrastructure provision within SBC which SSDC has an inability to affect. There has been a lack of effective consultation with those who will be most affected. The developer has made at least two previous applications to build on this land. Should this site be permitted there is little confidence that SSDC will prevent further extensions that will effectively link Acton Trussell with Wildwood contrary to Strategic Objectives 4, 5, 9, and Policy HC17.

The plan should propose a fewer quantum of housing development and site 036c should be deleted from the plan.