Community feedback
What local residents said
Prior to submitting an application, we undertook a consultation exercise with the local community. We sought feedback on a range of topics, including the type of homes needed locally, opportunities for the onsite public open space, and the challenges facing the local area.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved and provide their thoughts on these matters. The feedback we received is greatly appreciated and has helped to inform our plans for the site.
Below we have provided a summary of key themes that arose during our engagement, along with responses from our team.
Key themes
Highways impact and traffic management
A large number of respondents raised the issue of traffic levels in the local area. There was particular concern about the state of Ashby Road and congestion during peak hours, and some residents were worried about the potential impact of any further development in the local area.
We recognise that this is a key issue for the community and has been a top priority for us in preparing these plans. As part of our planning application, we have appointed highways consultants who have undertaken comprehensive transport assessments, including traffic surveys along Ashby Road. We have submitted a detailed transport assessment as part of our application, which seeks to provide a range of highways and active travel improvements. We have also reduced the number of homes proposed from 250 to 200.
We have been working closely with the local highways authority, Staffordshire County Council, as we have prepared our planning application, and the proposals will be independently assessed as part of the application process to ensure our proposed solutions are robust.
Key themes
Drainage
The existing issues with drainage, particularly in terms of sewage overflow near the railway bridge, were raised by a number of respondents. We recognise that this is an existing problem and we are acutely aware of the impact it is having on those who live in the local area. As we bring forward our plans, we are committed to ensuring that our plans do not adversely impact the situation. Since our engagement with the community began we have had a number of conversations with Severn Trent Water to better understand the present situations and how our plans can respond. As part of the plans, we will have to take into account the cumulative capacity and impact and that will inform how our drainage strategy evolves.
Key themes
Neighbourhood building
As part of the consultation we sought feedback from the community on the potential for an on-site neighbourhood building. There was support for its provision and a number of respondents and attendees at the market stall mentioned that they wanted to see a pub or café on the site as this was something that the local area lacked.
In response to this feedback, we are pleased to confirm that a building of this use is coming forward as part of the plans and we are currently engaging in discussions with potential end users.
Key themes
Impact on local services
A large number of respondents expressed concerns about the impact that new development could have on local community infrastructure, primarily focussing on schools and healthcare facilities.
We recognise these concerns and would like to provide reassurance that as part of the planning process, we will be making financial contributions to relevant authorities to mitigate any impact the scheme will have on local infrastructure such as schools and healthcare.
Key themes
Green space and biodiversity
People raised concerns about the loss of green space as a result of the development and said that they were worried about the impact that this would have on local wildlife.
The environmental impact of our plans has been given a lot of thought as we understand the importance of this to the community. As part of our consultation, we sought to ensure that the community is aware that we will be delivering extensive new areas of planting to provide additional habitats for wildlife. We are also committed to delivering a net gain in biodiversity. This will mean that the natural environment will be in a better state than it was before the development.
