Policy Spotlight with Declan: Stafford Borough Local Plan – have your say

View of fields

If you live or work in Stafford Borough, you’ve probably noticed the expansion of both residential and commercial developments across the area. A good example of this is the new housing development at Marston Gate on the A34, at the north edge of Stafford, sitting over the way from what will be the new Pets at Home distribution centre.

Stafford Borough stretches from Blythe Bridge in the north, down to Haughton and Brocton in the south and includes the towns of Stafford, Stone and Eccleshall.    Stafford Borough Council is now consulting on the Local Plan 2020-2040 Preferred Options document, which seeks views on draft policies and proposals for new development across the borough over the next 20 years.

You have the chance to share your views about how new levels of housing and development should be distributed, as well as the opportunity to comment on proposed development allocations such as Stafford Station Gateway and a new garden community at Meecebrook, near to Yarnfield and Eccleshall.    This development will deliver 3,000 new homes and 15 hectares of employment land.

Stafford Borough is a great place to live and work, with exceptional connectivity (particularly by rail) and a highly skilled workforce.   The local population is growing and there is a need to strike the right balance in building new homes but also making sure that there is a sufficient supply of employment land across the area.

The chambers will be calling for a high-quality housing mix, including affordable and high value accommodation.   Attracting new employers into the area will need to be supported by a broad, sustainable and ‘open door’ strategy for regeneration and inward investment, with more quality employment sites and good connectivity to keep people and goods moving freely across the area.

The consultation runs until 12noon on Monday 12th December and you can share your views through the following link:

https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/local-plan

If you have an interest in planning and infrastructure, you’d be very welcome to join the Chamber Planning & Infrastructure Forum, which meets again on Thursday 26th January 2023.  For further details, please email me :

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

You must be logged in to post a comment.