Plan for 750 homes in South Staffordshire village set for approval
Outline proposals for a large urban extension to the north of Penkridge look set to go ahead, after council planners recommended the scheme be approved due to the area’s dwindling available land supply.
If successful, the application could expand the population of the South Staffordshire village by as much as 20%, with 750 homes proposed for a 125-acre site around half-a-mile north of the village centre, which is bisected through the middle by the A449.
The scheme put forward by developer St Phillips also includes specialist retirement housing, a primary school and nursery, and a new community centre with a retail store, pub and takeaway.
A new community park and seven acres of sports pitches are proposed as part of the scheme, which will go before South Staffordshire’s planning committee on 27 January.
St Phillips says the site forms a large part of an allocation of 1,129 homes earmarked in the area’s emerging local plan, although the plan is “not sufficiently progressed as to carry more than minimal material planning weight”, according to a report by the council’s planning officer.
Two further applications for a total of 350 homes at the southern end of the allocation site, submitted as part of a co-ordinated effort with housebuilder Bloor Homes, have now been approved.
An illustrative masterplan for the site is included in the application. Credit: St Phillips via portal
“Bloor Homes and St Phillips share the Council’s aspiration for the creation of a vibrant new neighbourhood for Penkridge that provides much needed new sustainable homes along with essential community services that will meet the day to day needs of its residents,” said a planning statement supplied by the developer.
“It will be a sustainable neighbourhood that is closely connected to the existing village with a true sense of place, shaped by a green and blue infrastructure framework that reflects the local landscape character, ensures the health and well-being of its residents and maintains a connection with nature.”
Despite objections over the scale of the scheme from some residents, South Staffordshire District Council’s hands may be tied in determining the application, with its current land supply position given as 0.87 years.
In a report, the authority’s planning officer says the council’s land supply position means its existing policies “can no longer be considered up to date”, with a tilted balance in favour of approving housing applications now in effect due to the shortfall.
“Given the Council’s inability to demonstrate a 5 year supply of land for residential development and the application of the so called ‘tilted balance’, in order to boost housing land supply, this site, in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF, must be supported for development, unless there is strong reason to refuse arising,” said the officer’s report.
The scheme will be decided by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday, 27 January.
Documents and plans relating to the application can be found on South Staffordshire’s planning portal under reference: 23/01079/OUTMEI
