Plans to build a drive-through restaurant and electric vehicle charging hub on Green Belt land north of Stone have sparked more than 160 objections.
Community leaders in Stone have also spoken out about the proposals, which are earmarked for green space along the northbound A34 opposite the George and Dragon at Meaford.
If the plans are approved by Stafford Borough Council, 31 electric vehicle charging bays, solar panels, and a substation are proposed. A picnic area and drive-thru restaurant are earmarked for the site, and the planning application stated that the development would create up to 50 new jobs.
A planning statement submitted as part of the application said:
“The concept of this proposal is to provide EV charging infrastructure to drivers using the A34, as well as to the local communities and employers from nearby settlements or villages. The EV charging facilities will be supported by communal picnic areas and a drive-through restaurant, for motorists wanting to take refreshment or purchase food or meals while recharging their vehicles.
“In this way, the hub will function much like a motorway service area, by ensuring that customers can undertake a range of functions in one location. This is especially important to support EV charging, because EV charging takes longer than filling a car with petrol.
“The proposed site is located immediately adjacent to the A34, connecting to the A51 and the M6. Being located at such a strategic point along the route between Birmingham and Manchester, the site benefits from existing heavy traffic flow and easy accessibility to the nearby road network, which are crucial requirements for an EV charging hub.
“It is apparent that there is a notable shortfall in the provision of ultra-rapid charging infrastructure along the A34 and the M6. Charging points currently available within the locality are within the curtilage of commercial premises, such as garden centres or drive-through coffee shops, where restrict access to these chargers to staff and visitors only.
“Such provision cannot meet the growing demand for much more efficient charging infrastructure from the growing number of EV users. Access to the EV charging bays would not be restricted to staff and customers only, but would be made available to all motorists on the A34.”
Stafford Borough Council has received five supporting comments in favour of the application. But these have been vastly outnumbered by more than 160 objections.
Councillor James Nixon, who represents the Swynnerton and Oulton ward, has called in the application for consideration by the borough authority’s planning committee because of its location on rural Green Belt land. Members of Stone Town Council also spoke out against the proposals at their latest meeting.
Stone Councillors Feedback:
Councillor Jill Hood said:
“I did try to call it in (as a neighbouring ward councillor) but unfortunately I was stopped from calling it in. I object most strongly to this – it’s on the Green Belt and it’s going to sandwiched between development at the Darlaston Inn and Starbucks.
“I think it is an opportunistic land-grabbing proposed development. We should be standing up to these greedy developers and telling them to bog off.
“If we’re not careful Stone is going to become clogged with pointless developments. This shouldn’t be allowed – at the moment we have some beautiful Green Belt areas.”
Councillor Jim Davies said:
“It is right on our boundary and I have never seen so many objections to a planning application. I see no point in it – why does it have to be in the Green Belt?”
Councillor Robert Townsend said:
“There is a need for charging. And I would be interested to see how far advanced the borough council’s plans are for introducing charging points into car parks.
“This would be the thin end of the wedge. If we allow developments like this in the Green Belt other applications will come forward because the precedent is set.
“What is Green Belt for? It’s to protect nature and the environment from development and to prevent ribbon development.”
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4 comments
Richard Curtis
I wish the planning authorities would include a location map for such applications so that the public is better informed.
Colin beardmore
I agree with consideration of the green belt borders protection,
but if not this development for this now derelict piece of land what else for it . Even in a green belt border it is now an eyesore. I presume that the land being considered is the area now being exposed by the clearing of the Darleston Public house
The proposal makes sense, its a look to the future and will provide some jobs for the area
I dont drive an EV but its clear that the government and most of the world currently recognise that the polluting internal combustion engines have to be phased out.Its also clear that a major problem currently with EVs is the national avalability of charging points.
The proposal makes more sense than the council approved new giant logistic unit recently built the Stone business park on the opposite end of Stone the edge of the green belt area, its still empty . Its an eye sore, built too high because the plans were not scrutinised properly , it will add to the chaos at peak times because its built on a pinch point of the entrance industrial estate and also challenges the case for justification.
Hopefully the Luddites opposing this development will see the sense in the charging hub / resteraunt development and at least if opposing suggest an alternative. use for the land .
No I dont drive an EV nor ever will . My car driving will end soon because my age. So i have no vested interest in my approval of the scheme.
Colin Beardmore
Jon Cook
To clarify, this is a development in addition to the existing plans for a petrol and EV station on the Darlaston roundabout. This is the open green field on the opposite side of the A34 to the George and Dragon pub.
Pat Gates
Well said Jill Hood.Absolute lunacy and you are quite correcting your comments.
SBC should concentrate on potholes and EV charging points in car parks NOT on Green Belt.