Seddon Homes’ appeal against the rejection of its plans for housing in the Moddershall Valley Conservation Area has been thrown out by a Planning Inspector.
The developer wanted to build 34 homes on a field that lies between Nicholls Lane, Hayes Mill and the Moddershall Valley Conservation Area. Stafford Borough Council had originally rejected the proposal in March 2013 but Seddon Homes Ltd had appealed against the decision and the matter was considered at a Public Inquiry in late 2014.
The Inspector, Anthony Lyman, dismissed the Appeal on 15th May after weighing the evidence from public hearings late last year. He stated that the proposed development would not accord with one of the core planning principles which seeks to conserve heritage assets so they may be enjoyed by this and future generations.
Local resident John Sayer was an active member of the campaign group. He said: “I am delighted that the Inspector has agreed with the arguments put forward by both the council and the local residents’ action group. The proposed development would have been an incongruous extension of urban Stone into a delightful and peaceful area of countryside, with a significant history.
“There was overwhelming opposition to this application and the local residents have really pulled together in making our views known. It isn’t over yet, though – we now need to urge our new local council to produce a Neighbourhood Plan as soon as possible.”
The Nicholls Lane Field Action Group campaign received widespread support from local residents, councillors and Stone MP Bill Cash. There is lots more information on the Nicholls Lane Field Action Group website.
