As you might imagine, the plans have been strongly opposed by local residents who are supported by their local MP, Rob Flello, but not by the council's planners who are in favour of the proposals. Sound familiar?
And at an intended selling price of £750,000 a pop, these are not houses intended for local residents looking for their first home.
According to Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the area is "at a competive disadvantage" when it comes to attracting high earners hence their positive stance on the matter.
Although not in Rough Close, the proposals do have implications for us: increased levels of traffic, for instance, on roads that already struggle to cope. And if the proposals do go ahead, how will the inevitable stream of heavy contractor vehicles fetching and carrying materials to and from the site gain access?
If you want to find out more, here are some links for you.
Firstly, here's a map showing where the proposed development will take place (it's the shaded area at the top of the image - as near as we can tell).
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| Click to enlarge |
The local community has set up a Facebook page which you can access here (opens in a new browser window).
And finally, here's a link to the report carried by the Sentinel (opens in a new browser window).
As someone who has attempted to support the Lightwood residents both against the quarry abuses and the latest housing development plans I can offer one observation to the Voice of Rough Close.
ReplyDeleteNeither Stafford Borough Council,Stoke on Trent City Council or Staffordshire County Council care a **** about what we the residents think. They (the elected members) and their toadie employees pursue their oen agenda and ignore our views and interests.
Consultation occurs because the laws require it,and divergence of views from that consultation is ignored and they carry on as normal.
The only time this changes marginally is at election time,after which the electorate return to being just an occasional inconvenience.
George and Dragon,Lightwood quarry,Lightwood executive housing all had consultation.
What did it achieve ? I will refrain from crude language.
A concerning potential problem indeed if the good residents of Lightwood lose their fight. We will all recall the traffic problems a couple of years ago with enormous clay carrying trucks queuing down Lightwood road waiting access to the quarry and depositing tons of material on the bad bends. And how many homes went up for sale because of this ?
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of heavy traffic,bad bends and danger I raised the Hartwell lane situation of heavy vehicles loaded with rocks and boulders travelling the lane with its very narrow bends and 7.5 ton weight limit en route to the other executive housing development at Barlaston with County Councillor Parry.
Seemingly these enormous vehicles are "approved" by Stoke Council to use the narrow Hartwell lane (with both narrow and acute bends) then turn right at Hartwell farm down the single track lane to the Barlaston development.
Residents of Rough Close will accept this as a dangerous route for cars let alone enormous trucks !
You will understand my scepticism following this that Stoke Council will show any concern whatsoever on the potential problems that Rough Close will face from increased traffic and disruption to and from the Lightwood development,should it go ahead.
The use of Hartwell lane for this purpose is unquestionably dangerous,but still "approved" by Stoke Council.