Another 51 homes approved for major housing development next to Cannock Chase

A major development on land next to Cannock Chase is set to get even bigger after plans for dozens more homes were approved.

An aerial view showing the site of the development on the west of Pye Green Road. Photo: Google

Up to 51 homes are earmarked for a section of land west of Pye Green Road, near Hednesford, where consent has already been granted for more than 850 properties.

The latest phase of the Barratt Homes development was given the green light despite concerns they will be built on a “buffer zone” between the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Hednesford.

More than 25 letters were submitted to Cannock Chase Council raising a series of concerns.

Reasons for objection include an increase in vehicles on local roads already affected by traffic and speeding issues, as well as additional pressure on health services and the site’s proximity to Cannock Chase.

A map of the proposed development included in the planning application. The new site is site E

Councillor Alan Dudson, a member of the planning committee, said: “I have lived in the area for 20 years and Pye Green Road was a bad road then – the road now is unbelievable.

"If you park on that road you are risking having your vehicle smashed into – I advise people not to park on the road or your mirrors will be gone.”

Resident Donna Bradley, who spoke against the application, said: “Now it is only 200m from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and 400m away from a Special Area of Conservation. The impact is loss of a buffer zone.”

But Paul Hill, who spoke in support of the plans, explained how they had reduced in size compared to the original proposals for 80 new homes.

The capacity of Poppyfield Primary Academy, which was built as part of the Pye Green development, will increase under the plans

Planners recommended the scheme be approved on the basis of several conditions, including that developers provide more than £540,000 to create an extra 105 places at nearby Poppyfield Primary Academy.

The school opened last September, forming part of a re-development scheme which includes more than 850 homes, shops and a care home on land next to Pye Green Road.

The scheme is split into separate sections, including around 200 homes at the Limes, just off Limepit Lane, and

Barratt Homes has already built around 200 homes at the Limes, just off Limepit Lane at the south of site, and is building around 700 more at Deer's Rise directly next to where the extra 50 homes are planned.

The planning application said: “The site was taken out of the green belt for future development and allocated in the current 2014 Local Plan as a strategic housing site. The application proposes the provision of 20 per cent affordable housing.

“The proposal constitutes a logical extension to the consented Barratt’s scheme now called Deer’s Rise and is shown to connect into the consented road system of that scheme, with access ultimately taken from the recently upgraded Rosehill roundabout."

Committee member Councillor Frank Allen, who proposed that the application should be approved in line with officers’ recommendations said: “When this piece of land first came out of the green belt it has to be 20 or more years ago.

“There is no planning reason for us to turn this down. If we turn it down we will have to turn down all the existing dwellings on the site.”