Plans have been submitted for 22 homes on land off Yarnfield Lane in Yarnfield.
The outline application covers land next to Yarnfield Croft, which is currently used for equestrian purposes, including paddocks and stabling.
Only access is being considered at this stage. The layout, appearance, scale and landscaping shown in the submitted plans are indicative and would need to be dealt with through a later application if outline permission is granted.
The latest site plan shows 22 homes around a new internal road, with access from Yarnfield Lane. It also includes landscaped areas, a drainage pond towards the southern end of the site and a proposed pedestrian connection towards Yarnfield Croft.
The applicant’s affordable housing statement proposes up to nine affordable homes as part of the development, although the final housing mix has not yet been fixed.
Access and traffic
Vehicles would enter and leave the development through the existing access onto Yarnfield Lane, which would be altered as part of the proposal.
Traffic and road safety are among the issues raised by nearby residents who have submitted objections to Stafford Borough Council.
Concerns include additional vehicles using Yarnfield Lane, visibility around the proposed access and pedestrian safety.
Flooding concerns
Residents have also raised concerns about existing surface water and flooding around Yarnfield Croft and the surrounding land.
The applicant’s flood risk assessment places the development site in Flood Zone 1 and proposes a drainage system including an attenuation pond to manage surface water from the development.
Objectors have questioned whether the proposals would be sufficient given their experience of drainage problems in the area.
Credit: Barnett Ratcliffe Partnership
Green Belt development
The site is within the North Staffordshire Green Belt.
The applicant argues that the land can be treated as “grey belt” under national planning policy and that housing development on the site can therefore be supported.
Stafford Borough Council will consider that argument, along with the other planning issues and representations received, before deciding the application.
Other concerns raised by residents include the effect on wildlife and the character of Yarnfield, pressure on local services and further development between Yarnfield and Cold Meece.
The application is reference 26/42716/OUT.
The planning information currently lists Friday 9 October 2026 as the neighbour consultation expiry date. Anyone wishing to comment should check the live application on Stafford Borough Council’s planning portal for the latest consultation information.
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