Executive homes plan to go ahead
CUSTOM-BUILT housing looks set to be created on a plot of green land, despite concerns raised by residents over the development.
Outline planning permission has been granted for a project to build 13 plush homes on land off Wilson Road in Hanford.
The scheme falls under Stoke-on-Trent City Council's drive to attract high-earners to live in the area, or for people living elsewhere to make the move to the Potteries.
It would allow people to buy a plot and then design and build their own dream homes.
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But the project in Hanford – which will see the homes built across the 3.5 acre site – has attracted criticism from nearby residents who claim the lavish houses will tower above their properties.
James McGraw's home on Balmoral Close sits directly behind one of the plots earmarked for a new house.
Mr McGraw, who has lived on the stretch for more than 30 years, said: "The gable end to that property won't be facing the gable end of my home but the side elevation.
"If I put my property on the market when those houses are built they will be one of the first things people see when they come to look at it."
Designs drawn up by McGraw reveal that his rear garden is 1.6 metres below the land pencilled in for development.
Neighbour Roy Parkes, who has also lived on the road for roughly 30 years, added: "It will kill the light going in to my kitchen and bathroom."
Yesterday members of the city council's development management committee approved the scheme.
However, developers will need to return to the authority with more detailed proposals once the project gathers pace.
The scheme is being replicated at Penkhull Farm, where seven plots will go under the hammer within weeks.
Council officers believe the move to sell off former farmland for custom-build housing will raise £245,000.
Plots will be offered at a starting price of £35,000 to homebuilders who have already registered an interest and will be sold to the highest bidders.
Successful buyers will then work with developers to tailor-design their home.
The plots at Hanford offer large front and back gardens set around two-storey, detached four or five-bedroom homes.
It is being promoted by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Mark Phillips, who spoke on behalf of the HCA at yesterday's meeting, said: "Custom-built housing can make a strong contribution to economic growth. The applicant did consider a couple of other sites including Bucknall Hospital, but they were not thought to be appropriate. The council has also said there are no suitable brownfield sites.
"The development is in a sustainable location and is in accordance with planning laws. It will support the target of bringing vacant land in to use."
In previous years the land has been used for grazing and in the past has played host to two farms along with a barn and pigsty.
The existing pond on the site will be retained as designs reveal the access road will be a horse-shoe shape, running around the water feature.
City council planning officer Thomas Coates said: "This is a low density scheme and we felt it was important to maintain the pond as it really adds to the quality of the development."
Councillors also questioned whether a final scheme could involve one access point resulting in the plot by Mr McGraw's home being moved further from the boundary.
Comments
by Backdoored
Thursday, January 10 2013, 9:28PM
“City council planning officer Thomas Coates and his cronies on the city council's development management committee are cold hearted detached bureaucrats -almost certainly all living outside the city -as does the Chief Executive of the city Council -who moved to Stone 'disgusted by Trentham' which he could only stomach for a few months after taking up his post on over £200,000 a year.
These people who make these decision from ivory towers -have no concern for the destruction of the lives of the people who have lived there in peace in Hanford for over 30 years -and now will get these three storey 'Executive 5/6 bedroomed homes towering over them within a few metres.
They wouldn't dare do the same to Van de 'stuck-up' Posh Larschott if he lived on Primrose Hill at Hanford. The whole decision-making process stinks. Shameful. But that's what you get when you appoint OUTSIDERS in to 'run' your city. Callous to a degree. Disinterested.
And don't forget, this is the same group of 'professionals' who were HOODWINKED by developers when giving planning permission to build a 'posh block of apartments'' opposite the Polite Vicar on King St Basford -WHO THEN SNEAKILY ADDED ANOTHER STOREY TO THE BUILDING -!!! How blatant was that for a con job -and this Planning Dept is still wondering what hit them, as they are still reeling from the outcry from local residents in Kingsfield Oval, which lies directly behind the development. Everything has come to a stop -and it's been that way now for over two years.
And not only that -but this 'developer' also kept secret from them the Planning Dept of the city Council that the sewage/drainage would be treated by digging a huge CESS-PIT -no connection to the main sewars being allowed by Severn Trent Water... !!
That's what a bunch of cowboys we h\ve down at the civic offices 'running our city'. Why we put up with it is a mystery to me.”
by johnarc
Thursday, January 10 2013, 7:03PM
“The Council needs to urgently consult an estate agent if they think £35,000 is an acceptable price for a building plot for a large detached house. In today`s Sentinel property supplement, there are two building plots for auction in Wilson Road, Hanford, with a guide price of £140,000 each. The council clearly need an urgent introduction to the real world.”
by stevenweiss
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 10:45PM
“In what way is the site a 'sustainable location' ? (quote). That implies that the building of houses on a green field site will lead to more green fields being laid. Or is it just another catchphrase by a seminar-minded council mandarin?”
by malshenton
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 4:13PM
“When is this city council ever going to put the people of Stoke On Trent first and not the developers with their "financial clout" . Had these houses been of the affordable variety then its just possible a valid claim for building on this could be made but for thirteen "plush" homes....well it beggars belief! The city councils motto used to be "putting people first" but I can only assume that the advertising standards authority told them it was illegal.
This city is festooned by brown field sites that require development but I fear they will stay that way until we get a city council that acts on behalf of ALL the people of stoke on Trent and not just those who wish to build houses at a premium price on green belt land.”