Councillor makes pitch for developer to honour sports space agreement
LAND SOUGHT FOR 79 HOMES, WITH £100K TO BUILD FACILITY ELSEWHERE
CONCERNS have been raised after plans were revealed to build houses on green space separating two major estates in Uttoxeter.
St Modwen was granted permission back in 2015 for Bramshall Meadows, which would include 700 news houses.
To date, just over 300 have been built, with the remainder to be delivered in the next few years.
St Modwen’s initial plans included the possibility of creating sports pitches on green land between Bramshall Meadows and Tunnicliffe Way.
However, the developer has now applied for planning permission to build an extra 70-to-79 homes there instead, providing £100,000 for sports pitches elsewhere in the town.
The new proposals would also see more public open space and play space, alongside another 81 homes already given planning permission.
A spokesman for St Modwen Homes said residents had been told about the intention to apply for planning permission.
But Councillor George Allen, who represents the Uttoxeter Town ward on East Staffordshire Borough Council, said residents – including those in Tunnicliffe Way – had expressed concern over the potential loss of the green space.
He said: “Along with my fellow borough councillors – Duncan Goodfellow and Chris Sylvester – I met with St Modwen’s to discuss the concerns raised by residents following news emerging of further proposed development on the site. On further investigation, the Section 106 legal agreement signed off in 2015, which deals with how developers will provide local improvements as part of large developments, gave St Modwen the option to either provide sports pitches on site, or a financial contribution of £100,000 towards provision elsewhere.
“St Modwen confirmed they had chosen to provide the £100,000 rather than develop the pitches on site, and, as such, confirmed they were intending to submit a planning application for further housing on the land previously indicated as sports pitches.
“We all expressed concern about this process, where outline plans clearly showed the sports pitches on site.
“Councillors suggested that if there was always an intent to build on the parcel, the playing pitch space should not have been illustrated in the first place as it only causes anger and frustration for local residents.
“On further investigation, I have been assured that planning committee members in 2013 were made aware of all these facts at the time of the original outline application.
“At the meeting we also asked St Modwen to erect signs at the junction with Tunnicliffe Way, as there are a number of HGV delivery drivers attempting to use the road as an access to the site, causing disruption to residents.
“To date, they have yet to confirm when this will happen.
“St Modwen has, however, answered our calls to inform residents in the local area and they have stated 268 properties have received a newsletter letting them know about the proposed application.
“We also asked them to consider the layout of green spaces, such that it provides a buffer between existing and new homes, but, again, initial plans suggest this point has not been taken up. We are hopeful they will reconsider.
“While the offsite contribution for playing pitch space is welcomed, the initial outline illustration which showed playing pitch space has caused a great deal of confusion and concern.
“At this point I would ask St Modwen to listen to the views of residents regarding their concerns and I would ask them to revise their plans so that a green space is provided between residents on Tunnicliffe Way and the proposed development.”
There are still plans to build new sports pitches at Uttoxeter Quarry once aggregates workers have finished excavating there, but it is not known when that will be.
Dave Smith, managing director at St Modwen Homes, said: “We are advising local residents of our intention to apply for planning permission for muchneeded homes in the area and will consider all aspects of feedback, including comments relating to green space.
“May we take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused by construction traffic attempting to access the current development site via Tunnicliffe Way.
“We are currently arranging for signage to be erected to prevent this from happening and this will be installed once we have approval from the relevant landowner.”