‘WILDLIFE WILL BE DESTROYED IN CASH GRAB’
Campaigners fight plans for six homes
DOZENS of residents are fighting plans to build six homes on a popular greenway.
Irresistible Group Limited is requesting outline planning permission for development at the end of Denton Grove in Meir Hay.
The applicant says there is a ‘choice of green space’ near the application site, and adjoining open space would be ‘enhanced’ with new paths, trees and a bench.
The company also says the scheme would provide homes in a ‘welldesigned and safe built environment’ and boost the local economy.
But around 40 objectors say that the development will ‘fragment’ the existing habitat for animals such as hedgehogs and destroy residents’ green views.
Councillor Asman Ali said: “It’s important that the city council’s planning team are able to hear from residents on this proposed development.”
Resident Robert Ewen, who is among the objectors, wrote: “The development would directly overlook our property, destroying the green views which we currently enjoy.
“The destruction of the green space is abhorrent and totally unnecessary with plenty of brownfield sites around the city which should be developed first. The land in question and the immediately surrounding area is a green corridor used by dozens of people from the surrounding area.”
Nicola Stevenson said: “We live near to the area and use the green space regularly as do many other residents. I believe this should be kept as green space. It’s so important for the local community to use.”
Oliver Dodd said: “I find it baffling and despicable that there is a proposition to destroy this wildlife for a heartless cash grab. There are plenty of other sites to build houses which aren’t as ecologically important.”
The applicant says there is no shortage of green corridors in the local area, and that the development ‘would not affect the connectivity of the green corridor’.
The application states: “This statement and other accompanying documents address the site specific considerations and conclude that the scheme complies with the development plan.
“In particular, there is a good supply of green corridors in Stoke-on-trent and the development would cause no material harm to the supply of this type of green space.
“Furthermore, the application offers an opportunity to enhance the wider area of open space.”
Planners at Stoke-on-trent City Council are due to make a decision on the application by May 20.