Concerns remain after 20 homes removed from development proposals in Stone
Officials say there could be pressure on local services
Plans for a new residential development west of Stone have been amended to remove 20 homes, but community leaders remain concerned about increased pressure on local services.
Stone town councillors also highlighted the cumulative impact on Walton of the number of proposed housing developments in the area at their latest meeting (September 1).
Walton has already seen the new Udall Grange development in recent years. And further proposals have been put forward for two sites off Eccleshall Road.
Developer Taylor Wimpey submitted an application seeking outline consent for up to 140 new homes on land off Marlborough Road around a year ago. This proposal has now been revised, to provide up to 120 new homes, and residents have until Friday, September 11, to have their say on the latest plans.
A planning statement addendum submitted as part of the revisions said: “Since lodging the application in August 2025, the case officer and consultees have commented on various aspects of the proposals. Most consultees have raised no objections to the grant of planning permission, subject in some cases to conditions being attached to the permission or planning obligations being agreed.
“The council’s Design Officer, Arboriculture Officer and Leisure Services team have made comments in relation to design related matters -principally density – the quantum of open space and the location of proposed development relative to the root protection areas (RPAs) of existing trees. In response to comments made by officers and consultees, the scheme has been amended.
“The internal road layout has been revised with an amended primary access road and loop road through the site. Marlborough Road now extends further into the site, forming part of the loop road and creating a central crescent, which curves around the RPA of the Category A tree in the centre of the site.
“The Category A tree forms the focal point of a re-imagined central green corridor, which extends virtually uninterrupted from the northern boundary to the southern boundary. The corridor has been widened and provides for the retention of the vast majority of the existing hedgerow; additional planting is also proposed through the green corridor.
“A larger landscaped buffer has been incorporated, particularly along the southern and western boundaries of the site. These buffers include significantly more tree planting to create a stronger landscaped edge to the development and a pedestrian route as part of the Movement Strategy.”
A Tatenhill Walk resident has objected to the latest proposals. Their concerns include increased traffic, noise and pollution, loss of valuable green space, walking and recreation area and increased strain and pressure on local amenities such as schools and health services.
Town and borough councillor Jon Powell said: “The amendment is reducing the overall number of dwellings from 140 to 120 – it doesn’t make much of a difference for me. Residents have been contacted by letter and it has caused a massive amount of worry again.
“I reiterate my concerns about the local sewage system and pressure on local amenities. We know amenities are very stretched and they will be put under extra pressure.
“It will put an awful lot of pressure onto the road system. We have an application for 240 homes, another for 500 homes and Udall Grange has already landed – it equates roughly to the same amount of houses that exist in Barlaston, by the side of Stone and Walton.
“It’s just not feasible. The area will not take that level of traffic, development and hit on our resources.”