Publication Plan April 2024

Support

Representation ID: 6240

Received: 24/05/2024

Respondent: Stafford Borough Council

Stafford Borough considers that the approach of meeting the current local housing need of 4,726 new homes including a contribution towards the unmet needs of the GBBCHMA is the most appropriate strategy within the national policy framework at this time, noting the West Midlands Green Belt covering much of South Staffordshire District and the need to minimise infrastructure implications for neighbouring areas.
Furthermore it is considered that the Publication version of the Local Plan is appropriate in terms of addressing the employment land provision.
With regards the delivery of new housing locations, the Borough Council supports an appropriate balance focused across Tiers 1 to 3 based on access to services and facilities together with an emphasis on maximising the use of brownfield land. This will ensure future sustainable development by utilising existing and new infrastructure provision.

Support

Representation ID: 6241

Received: 24/05/2024

Respondent: Stafford Borough Council

The Borough Council notes Policy DS6 which includes the employment allocation at M6 Junction 13, Dunston for 17.6 hectares of employment types E(g), B2 and B8 south of the Stafford Borough boundary which could bring economic benefits to the locality provided it is delivered alongside a robust transport and connectivity strategy.

Comment

Representation ID: 6242

Received: 24/05/2024

Respondent: Stafford Borough Council

With regards to future provision outside of South Staffordshire District, the Borough Council can confirm it is not in a position to meet any of the shortfall arising from the Black Country at this stage and furthermore can not provide for any unmet gypsy, traveller & travelling show-people needs within Stafford Borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 6243

Received: 24/05/2024

Respondent: Stafford Borough Council

The Habitat Regulations Assessment of future housing growth in South Staffordshire District will need to be addressed in order to provide mitigation measures for the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) together with other relevant SACs / Ramsar sites in the locality. The Borough Council will continue to work alongside South Staffordshire District through the Cannock Chase SAC Partnership on suitable measures.

Object

Representation ID: 6245

Received: 24/05/2024

Respondent: Stafford Borough Council

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Therefore development to the south of Stafford Town settlement boundary would be in the immediate setting of the National Landscape and lead to a detrimental impact on Cannock Chase so should not go ahead. Reference to avoiding detrimental impacts, and conserving and enhancing Cannock Chase National Landscape (AONB), and it’s setting, for its landscape and natural beauty and the services it provides indirectly as a result of its special qualities should be sought through the South Staffordshire Local Plan 2023-2041 to reflect guidance in the AONB Management Plan, as well as the Views and Settings Guide.

The AONB Management Plan 2019-24 emphasises the importance of maintaining the quality and distinctiveness of the landscape character of Cannock Chase. It calls for new development to be of the highest quality befitting one of the nation’s finest landscapes, and for unsuitable new development to be resisted.

Object

Representation ID: 6246

Received: 24/05/2024

Respondent: Stafford Borough Council

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Site Reference 036C
This would not appear to accord with Strategic Objective 2 of the New Local Plan Publication as a sustainable approach to meeting the needs of the GBBCHMA. This location is less sustainable and deliverable than other sites in South Staffordshire.
Stafford Borough is not relying on South Staffordshire District’s Local Plan to meet any of its housing need. Therefore, reference to this new development should not have been included in the New Local Plan, including reference in Policy DS5, Policy SA5 and the proforma in Appendix C on page 235.

Object

Representation ID: 6247

Received: 24/05/2024

Respondent: Stafford Borough Council

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Site Reference 036C
Such a development does not demonstrate it would provide appropriate infrastructure to mitigate the impact. There is no relationship to the existing urban form. The site is remote from any settlement or services in South Staffordshire, with the occupiers of the development looking to Stafford Town to provide their services. Accordingly this will impact on schools and leisure provision in Stafford, which have a number of capacity issues. To date further details have not been provided to demonstrate the following, with limited information in the latest Infrastructure Delivery Plan published alongside the Local Plan consultation:
- that education impacts in Stafford Borough can be acceptably mitigated;
- that contributions to meeting Stafford Town’s affordable housing need and providing for leisure facilities in Stafford would be secured; and
- that impacts on the landscape, including the setting of the Cannock Chase National Landscape, formerly the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), would be acceptable.
The Stafford Borough Economic Housing Development Needs Assessment, on page 164 within Table 12.1 sets out a figure of 208 new affordable homes required for Stafford Town. Therefore through the Duty to Co-operate process the Borough Council looks forward to receiving confirmation that the affordable housing provided by this site, if adopted within the Local Plan, will make its contribution of 24 new homes to the Stafford Town affordable housing need.