‘People haven’t done their job on local plan...’
£350k document branded shocking waste of taxpayers’ money
A LOCAL Plan which took several years to compile and cost £350,000 has again been the centre of severe criticism.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council adopted the Local Plan, which runs up to 2033, in September 2020.
The plan specifies site allocations for new homes and businesses right across the Moorlands.
The aim of the plan was that councillors had control of where developments took place and stopped any ‘predatory developers.’
Most sites in the plan have yet to be developed and many areas with planning permission given before the adopted plan have also yet to be developed.
However, just 18 months into the plan, the council has stated that they cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of building land, which could mean developers get planning permission for sites not in the Local Plan.
The issue was raised at Kingsley Parish Council during a discussion regarding proposals to build 250 homes at east of Broad Hayes Farm off Froghall Road, Cheadle. The site is not in the Local Plan and was never considered during consultation.
Although the land is on the edge of Cheadle, part of the site is in the parish of Kingsley.
Speaking at the at last week’s meeting meeting of Kingsley Parish Council, Councillor Ken Unwin, said: “The the Local Plan has been out for public consultation over several years.
“The plan has been approved by an inspector and finally approved by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council in 2020.
“Now 18 months later we are told the council does not have a five year housing plan.
“It is shocking the money this has cost taxpayers, something is wrong. It is despicable. The Cheadle housing plan could get nodded through.”
Newly elected chairman of the parish council, Councillor James Aberley, inset below, who is also a district councillor for the area, said: “This is a shocking state of affairs.
“We will put up a fight at the planning applications committee meeting.
“We will also have a meeting with Cheadle Town Council.”
Councillor John Steele said: “People have not done their job, something is wrong.”
Councillor David Fowler, said: “Officers have stated that the district council does not have a five year plan and was mindful to approve the proposed Cheadle development. We have to stop this undesirable development.”
Speaking at a previous meeting Councillor Fowler said: “It is scandalous that Staffordshire Moorlands District Council are already unable to demonstrate a five-year housing plan. The Local Plan was debated for more than eight years and is now in ruins. Developers will have a free range.”