Housing estate expansion despite objections

Plans for 14 new houses at a North Staffordshire housing estate have been approved despite objections from residents.

Two plans of the Blythe Vale estate had already been approved however a new area of land previously not owned by the St Modwen developers had become available.

However residents argued the greenspace had become much valued by the community in Blythe Bridge, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Councillors at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council approved the application by one vote, with seven councillors approving the scheme and six against.

The development known as 2a will deliver five affordable homes including three affordable rental properties, one shared ownership, and one first home. Existing trees and hedgerows on the site will be retained.

Sophia Bostock told councillors: “I was immediately onboard with that decision and your decision to allow this estate to be built. However I now wish to strongly oppose the new planning for this stretch of greenspace, the only stretch of greenspace with that estate.

“This proposal is not extending the estate, it demolishes part of the heart of a community.”

However not all councillors were in agreement.

Councillor Adam Parks said: “The way I see it is this: this was never actually a St Modwen’s greenspace to offer the estate, it was a privately owned field so therefore it wasn’t a public access space.

The development will also make a contribution towards education and NHS with £55,944 being contributed to primary schools, £76,944 to secondary and post 16 education and an NHS contribution of £12,552.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]