Thousands of Residents Object to Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Controversial Planning Blueprint

As the public consultation period for Stoke-on-Trent City Council's local plan drew to a close, thousands of residents have expressed concerns over the proposed development of 18,528 homes, with over half of these sites allocated to the Green Belt. The council's plan has sparked intense criticism, with four e-petitions attracting 4,079 names and thousands of letters and consultation responses expressing fears over the loss of green spaces, impact on local roads and services, and the need to develop brownfield sites first.

Key Takeaways:

• The city council's local plan proposes the development of 18,528 homes, with over half of these sites allocated to the Green Belt.
• Four e-petitions opposing the inclusion of particular Green Belt and greenfield sites have attracted 4,079 names between them.
• Thousands of residents have lodged objections to the plan, expressing concerns over the loss of green spaces, impact on local roads and services, and the need to develop brownfield sites first.
• Councilor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, has stated that some sites could be dropped from the plan following consultation, but emphasized the need to build more houses in Stoke-on-Trent to meet the government's target of 948 homes per year.
• The council has been contacted by landowners who have asked for their sites to be added to the local plan, potentially leading to additional sites being included.
• The final submission version of the local plan is scheduled to go to full council next autumn, with a public examination expected to take place in 2027.
• Controversial sites, including BL1-Lightwood (3,000 homes), BL7/BL10-Norton Green South and North (3,097 homes in total), H58-Packmoor (800 homes), BL5-Eaves Lane (1,139 homes), and BL2-Trentham (500 homes) have been identified as particularly contentious.

Statistics:

• 18,528 homes proposed in the local plan.
• 4,079 names on four e-petitions opposing Green Belt and greenfield site allocations.
• 3,000 homes proposed for BL1-Lightwood site.
• 3,097 homes proposed for BL7/BL10-Norton Green South and North sites combined.
• 1,515 people have signed a petition against the inclusion of BL5-Eaves Lane in the local plan.
• 1,100 letters of objection delivered to the city council headquarters by members of Norton Green Residents' Association and ward councillor Dave Evans.

Sources:

• Byline: Phil Corrigan, Local Democracy Reporter.
• Stoke-on-Trent City Council's local plan consultation.
• Councilor Chris Robinson's statement.
• Councilor Dave Evans' statement.
• E-petitions opposing Green Belt and greenfield site allocations.
• Letters and consultation responses from residents.