Villagers warn new housing plan is 'catastrophic'

More than 1,300 people oppose council plans which could see up to 800 homes built in Packmoor

Proposals for future housebuilding amount to a "demolition order" for a village's identity, councillors have been warned.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has drawn up a masterplan for Packmoor, which could see up to 800 homes built on council-owned farmland.

More than 1,300 people signed a petition against the plans, and described the council scheme as "absolutely catastrophic" due to doubling the village's size and placing further strain on local infrastructure.

Council leaders have said the scheme would result in improved infrastructure and better local amenities.

The authority carried out public engagement in Packmoor last year, where most respondents said they were opposed to any development in the fields.

The council pressed on, and drew up the masterplan.

But lead petitioner Darren Bamford says the proposed site is "our last remaining green space", adding: "This plan does not fix problems. It guarantees chaos."

He said he believed the proposals would result in the village becoming a town.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, insisted the views of locals would be taken into account.

"Since the decision in relation to the masterplan was taken earlier this year, a public consultation exercise has commenced on the draft local plan," he said.

"I would urge all residents to engage with the draft local plan consultation and take the opportunity to provide feedback."

'Clear and united'

David Mountford, who represents the Great Chell and Packmoor ward on the council, said the petition demonstrated the community's voice was "loud, clear and united".

He has announced his decision to leave Labour – which currently controls Stoke-on-Trent City Council – to join the new Potteries Party as its sole representative on the authority.

"[Residents] do not want Great Chell and Packmoor treated as a dumping ground for developments that other areas refuse to take," he said.

"Residents aren't anti-housing, they aren't anti-growth. They want homes for their children and grandchildren, but they want them in the right places."

Consultation on the council's local plan – which identifies where and which type of development will take place in the city until 2020 - runs until 20 October.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.