Homes plan for former Uttoxeter household waste site approved

The site of the former Uttoxeter Household Waste facility has been vacant since 2015

Plans to redevelop the site of a former household waste facility to create new housing have been given the go-ahead.

Forty-four affordable homes are to be built on the site on Pennycroft Lane, Uttoxeter.

The development, also set to restore contaminated land, will include 30 houses plus 14 apartments for people over 55.

The site has been vacant since the waste and recycling facility closed in 2015.

Speaking on behalf of applicants Trent and Dove Housing, Jim Malkin told members of East Staffordshire Council's planning committee that the scheme would "result in a positive redevelopment".

He said it would also provide "much-needed" affordable homes in the area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Committee member Jacqui Jones said: "This application provides some great affordable houses in an area which is really untidy and I certainly quite welcome that."

But there were concerns raised about the lack of section 106 contributions - costs paid by a developer to offset any impact on the community.

Councillor Colin Whittaker said: "I am disappointed that there is no provision for health or education in this because whatever you've got there is going to put a strain on the resources of Uttoxeter."

Planning officers explained that the development would not be viable if section 106 contributions were requested.

They said the benefit of the affordable homes and the restoration of contaminated land would outweigh any impact caused by the development.