Stafford Borough Council’s development control committee looks set to grant outline planning permission for a housing development on the Bibby Scientific site in Walton.
Applicant Boxer Propco wants to demolish half the existing manufacturing building at the site on the A34, next door to the new Aldi supermarket, and sell to developers for housing. The development would have between 100 and 150 dwellings.
Members of the development control committee meet on Wednesday 24th November to discuss the application and a report to the committee recommends granting outline planning approval.
The report details a number of issues around the development.
- Staffordshire Police’s traffic management officer has expressed concern at the amount of development on the A34 between the Aston and Walton roundabouts. The new Aldi store will be open next spring and roadworks are currently in progress to create traffic lights and a new road layout. The housing development would need access to the A34 as well and the highways authority are calling for the whole stretch of the A34 between the two roundabouts to have a reduced 40mph speed limit.
- Staffordshire County Council has requested an ‘education contribution’ of £154,587 for up to 100 dwellings and £2,654 for every dwelling above this. This is because Pirehill First School and Walton Middle School – both in the development’s catchment area – are both full.
- Stafford Borough Council’s housing strategy officer has requested that the development contains 30% affordable housing, made up of 25% social rented housing and 5% shared ownership.
The applicant will have to pay money under a Section 106 agreement to secure affordable housing, open space and education provision.
Stafford borough councillor for Walton Mike Carey has also raised concerns about the loss of industrial/employment land in Stone if a housing development is given the go-ahead.
Want to find out more? Read the report to the committee here and the full planning application here.
