A BURNTWOOD councillor has criticised suggestions that a new housing development could be suitable under future grey belt policies.
Bloor Homes has formally submitted a planning application for land off Church Road and Coulter Lane.
The development has been revised following feedback from residents.
But Cllr Andrew Clissett, representative for Burntwood North at Staffordshire County Council, said the suggestions around grey belt acceptability were “misleading” because the site is currently designated as green belt in the Local Plan.
He said:
“The Bloor Homes website refers to grey belt policies, but these do not exist in current national or local planning policy.
“The only designation that applies to this land is green belt. Until the Local Plan is changed through the proper process, this land must be treated as green belt and nothing else.”
The developer said the new application would be for up to 250 new homes.
Emma Foster, senior planning manager at Bloor Homes Midlands, said:
“We are conscious of the significant local interest in our proposals and have sought to respond positively and proactively to feedback received through our community consultation wherever we can.
“We have significantly reduced the overall scale of development and removed development completely from the site parcel east of Coulter Lane.”
But Cllr Clissett said many of the issues which had been criticised by residents remained.
“The pressures on the area have not changed. The roads are already congested, GP surgeries are stretched and parts of the site and surrounding roads are prone to flooding. There is very little public transport.
“None of these problems are addressed in the revised plans. The removal of the proposed community hub also means the development now offers fewer benefits to local residents.”
Cllr Clissett added:
“Residents want clear and accurate information. Referring to grey belt gives the impression that this land is less protected than it actually is. Burntwood needs honest planning and proper infrastructure before further development is considered.”
