Housing plan at the heart of proposals

I AM writing because having spoken to a few people, I found that although everyone had heard of the well publicised “Reconnect Leek” project, and some had heard of the “Cornhill Development”, none of them were aware that at the centre is a plan to build a housing estate on Barnfields industrial estate.

The details are available on Staffsmoorlands.gov.uk. where, confusingly, the Barnfields plan is referred to as, “The Cornhill Development”.

The earliest documentation is dated 2013, since when various plans have been evolving, involving Churnet Valley Railway, Moorland & City Railway, SMDC and various consultants. The relationships between these various bodies, the “The Cornhill Development” and “Reconnect Leek” can be confusing.

Barnfields industrial estate is not redundant “brownfield” but valuable industrial land.

The landowner, Barnfield Hughes Ltd. has already received unsolicited offers for the land for employment use. [Casey; “Cornhills Regeneration Planning Viability Statement”, Sept. 2020].

The current plan, dated Sept. 2020, is for an estate of 169 houses with a small station on the southern end serving a single track branch line. The available illustrative map also indicates the extension of the canal to a small marina but documentation states that this is no longer considered viable.

The profit for the development is considered marginal and the developer would only commit subject to the scheme not carrying an obligation to deliver Affordable Housing.

The current “Cornhill Development” (Barnfields) plan shows only a single track line connecting a small station on the outskirts of the town to CVR’S heritage line at Leekbrook Juction. It does not “Reconnect Leek” to any main rail network.

It is unclear what benefits, in particular jobs, this would bring into the town.

Whether it is beneficial to build a housing estate (excluding “Affordables”) on viable industrial land which could provide jobs may be debatable.

As a matter of public interest, will the council please clarify and publicise the exact natures of the proposed developments and the relationships between the various bodies involved.

Penelope Lawton