Reader’s Letter: Planned drive-through/service station

Steve Walley from the Stonefield area of Stone has written to the editor arguing against plans for a drive-through restaurant and service station on the A34.

---

To the Editor,

 Like many in Stone, I was dismayed to learn about the plans submitted for a drive-through restaurant/service station on our precious Greenbelt land that backs onto the river Trent.

This development is being marketed as an eco-friendly initiative with electric vehicle (EV) charging points, a picnic area, and a restaurant, which immediately raises suspicions. The vague description of the restaurant, especially without specifying that it is a fast-food establishment, mirrors a recent rejected proposal near Darlaston roundabout—suggesting this project might be a rebranded attempt at introducing fast food just a few hundred yards away.

The environmental argument is a fallacy.  It is wholly unnecessary to sacrifice greenbelt land when there are already multiple EV charging points nearby, including a new installation planned at the Darlaston roundabout just a few hundred yards away. Like most people, I do support the expansion of EV infrastructure, but it must be appropriately scaled and situated where it will deliver the most benefit. Take, for instance, the Stonefield terraces, where residents lack private driveways and access to EV chargers. A far more sensible location for a development such as this would be the brownfield ABB site, which would provide much-needed EV access to the people in Stonefield, aligning infrastructure growth with community needs.

Moreover, the introduction of a fast-food outlet, if that’s what it is,  will mean a guaranteed increase in litter and with this site adjoining the river Trent, we all know where this litter will end up.  Do we really want to see our beautiful riverside areas around Westbridge Park and Crown Meadows full of litter impacting both the wildlife and degrading the water quality?

We must also consider the potential health implications for our children.  Ultimately a fast-food restaurant in Stone equates to an unhealthier local population.  Is that what we really want? 

Not to mention the fact that it will take trade away from local independent businesses in Stone.  Again, is that what we really want?

I believe that this development proposal for our greenbelt is not only ill-conceived but also demonstrates a complete disregard for Stone’s values whilst doing nothing to strengthen our community.

We need to come together and stop this development because the last thing we want is a repeat of the monstrosity of a warehouse that was built by Stone cemetery that somehow sneaked through planning without proper scrutiny.   

In response, I have started a petition which with minimal publicity, has already been signed by nearly 300 people, indicating a strong community desire to stop this project.

https://www.change.org/p/preserve-stone-greenbelt-say-no-to-the-service-station-development

Please join us in preserving Stone’s greenbelt. Sign the petition and share it widely with your friends and family and lets send a message to Stafford Borough Council and the developer that we don’t want development on Stones greenbelt. 

Thanks, Steve Walley

---