‘Ambitious’ plan to build 250 houses
Former Hughes Concrete site set to be redeveloped
ONE of the biggest home owners in the Staffordshire Moorlands is planning to build hundreds of new properties in Leek.
Your Housing Group is proposing to put up a mixture of homes on land in Sunnyhills Road which was formerly part of the Barnfields Industrial Estate.
The site previously occupied by Hughes Concrete has outline planning permission for development.
The group is also proposing to build 21 homes on the site of the former Lightwood Home in Cheadle.
Part of the ambitious plans for Leek also involves looking at introducing a 24-hour outdoor laundrette at Mill Street to be used by local customers and encourage more people to shop at the small complex (see page 9).
The proposals also include work to improve flats on Belle Vue and Paramount Place in Leek.
A report to members of Staffordshire Moorland District Council’s community overview and scrutiny panel on Monday, said: “The development team is currently looking at two sites in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Initially, we are looking at developing 21 units in Cheadle, for shared ownership and affordable rent.
“The site is currently owned by Ascent and we are exploring ways of how the site can be built out. Based on current progress and if we can agree a cost with the principal contractor, which meets all our financial parameters, we could be on site in 2019/20. In addition to this, the new business team are exploring the possibility of building out a site in Leek, which would be split into a number of phases.
“Initially, this would deliver 60 units in the first phase and then the remaining units to a total of 250 over a number of other phases. Costs, unit mix and tenure have not yet been agreed as this scheme is still in the very early stages of development.”
County, district and town councillor Charlotte Atkins welcomed the proposals but said she had concerns over the adjoining industrial site. She said: “I welcome the fact that affordable houses could be built which will allow young people to stay in the town and other people to down size.
“However residents have to be protected from any noise from the industrial operations ongoing at the site at Barnfields.
“We have to make sure that people are comfortable in the
surrounding where they live. Appropriate steps must be taken in the proposed development to deal with the concerns.”
Speaking at the meeting, Brian Cronin, chief executive of Your Housing Group, said: “The Leek site is not in our ownership.
“We have made an offer for 60 units, then we intend for work with Casey Construction through the planning system.
“The whole site could take two to three years. There would be a mixture of homes. We are keen to get it done.
“The first scheme is planned for Cheadle where we will put in planning permission. We are also looking at banking land in the Staffordshire Moorlands.”
Your Housing said they had plans to work with tenants and regenerate properties.
Sharon Wheeler, property manager south, said: “The regeneration of blocks of flats including Belle Vue and Paramount Place in Leek along with St Johns and Kingsfield Road in Biddulph have been evaluated and where appropriate we have introduced interventions to help the performance of these assets.
“This includes painting of exterior and interior walls and railings, installing modern and easy access bin stores, relaying car park surfaces to encourage safe access, engaging with customers who live at these properties to look at environmental issues and CCTV at hotspots in Belle Vue to eradicate fly tipping.
“We are currently working with an architect on designs for three streets in Haregate which we have identified potentially benefiting from urban landscape regeneration.
“We are hoping to develop a more appealing look to the end of these streets for a greener, safer community.
“We are also looking at similar improvements at Mill Street and Queens Drive to enhance customers shopping and parking experiences.”
Your Housing are also adopting a programme of tenancy review visits from this month along with neighbours inspections.
The report to councillors said: “Moorlands Property Agents will begin a programme of tenancy visits which includes meeting with customers, collecting key personal data, carrying out property inspections, checking on satisfaction with the block or neighbourhood and identifying issues which might be putting a customer’s tenancy at risk.
“The property agent will then work with the customer to take appropriate action such as referring to another YHG team or an external agency. The reviews are aimed at helping YHG get to know our customers better and ensure we are aware of issues that impact on customer and wider neighbourhood.
“As well as visiting individual customers, property agents will be carrying out regular neighbourhood inspections to check on cleaning and grounds maintenance of communal areas and to better identify and deal with nuisance such as fly-tipping or vandalism.
“Neighbourhood Champions are being recruited in key areas.”