Green light for housing plan at former Uttoxeter JCB factory

Almost 120 homes will be built on a former town centre manufacturing site in Staffordshire, after planners paved the way for a £39m redevelopment this week (12 May).

Cameron Homes and JCB will now get under way on a residential development at Bamford Works in Uttoxeter, a former JCB site which had been used for manufacturing since 1871.

JCB quit the site for a £40m new production facility in 2008, with buildings at the former Pinfold Street factory pulled down as part of plans to redevelop the site for housing, first put forward as an outline proposal by JCB in 2017.

Detailed plans for the site, which include a total of 119 homes across two separate applications, were submitted in 2024 after Staffordshire-based Cameron were selected as developers.

JCB’s chairman, Lord Bamford, said East Staffordshire Borough Council’s decision to approve the proposals would “put the heart” back into Uttoxeter’s town centre.

“I have taken a keen personal interest in securing the best possible legacy for the Bamford Works site since it was vacated in late 2008,” he said.

“At every step along the way, I have wanted the redevelopment to be of the highest possible standard. My family has a long association with Uttoxeter and this site in particular.

“I’m very pleased with the approval for 119 new homes, as I really think this will put the heart back in the town centre. I look forward to Cameron Homes delivering an exemplary new development, that everyone can be proud of.”

A total of seven properties will be made available as affordable housing.

Work on the development will also include a public park in the southern area of the 13-acre site, next to the Picknall Brook, which will also benefit from “renaturalising” efforts to provide new habitats for wildlife – according to the developer.

“We are thrilled to receive the green light from East Staffordshire’s planning committee for such an exciting scheme that will add new vibrancy to Uttoxeter town centre,” said Kate Tait, group strategic land and planning director for Cameron Homes.

“Throughout the design and pre-construction process, we have been striving to deliver a scheme of the highest quality, reflecting the site’s prominent position on the edge of the town centre. There will be a comprehensive choice of home designs – from one-bedroom starter homes, to houses for young families, rightsizers and the elderly, through to executive five-bedroom detached residences.

“Bamford Place will become a new community to behold, built with the core principle of providing a lasting legacy for the town.”

Plans and documents relating to the applications can be viewed on East Staffordshire council’s planning portal using references: P/2024/01375 and P/2024/01376