Concerns over 'green lung' city heath homes plan

Councillor Alec Sandiford says the heathland needs to be protected from development

Concerns have been raised over plans for up to nine new homes to be built on a plot of "rare" heathland on the edge of a city.

It comes after people living in the Meir Heath area of Stoke-on-Trent launched a bid to raise money to buy the site at Grindley Park off Grange Road, in September 2023, to protect the space, described as a "green lung in an urban area".

However, the site was then withdrawn from sale and the campaign was deemed no longer necessary.

But now an application submitted to Stafford Borough Council seeks permission in principle for the homes on the site by DB Developments Staffordshire Limited, which has been contacted for comment via their agent.

An area of about 22.5 hectares (55.6 acres) has been registered as a "community asset" campaigners said, in an attempt to protect the area from development.

'Needs to be protected'

The issue is further complicated as part of the wider site lies within Stoke-on-Trent City Council's jurisdiction, while the rest is in Stafford Borough Council's boundary.

"It needs to be protected," councillor Alec Sandiford said.

He added he was worried that if the development of between five and nine homes might lead to a much larger development, as well as separate applications brought forward in each council's area.

"You've got public rights of access, open space, there are infrastructure concerns and flooding concerns," he explained.

"We need to protect habitats and spaces like this because once they're gone, they're gone forever."

It had been used by generations of the local community, Sandiford said.

"When I've spoken to many residents over the past couple of weeks they can all remember growing up as children 50-60 years ago," he continued.

"In the lockdowns, in Covid-19, it was used as a space for emotional and mental wellbeing too."

'Limited green space'

There were more than 100 objections to the proposals, he said, and a public meeting was being organised to discuss the issue on Tuesday.

Councillor Mike Dodson said he thought it was necessary to review the application on the land because it was regularly used by residents.

"It's a bit of a green lung in an urban area," he said.

"As a registered piece of land, it does have additional support."

He added it was "quite well used" by young people and dog walkers recreationally, and

"We have a very limited amount of green space within urban area and we should do our best we can to preserve them."