Hundreds of residents in the Midlands village of Coven have failed to prevent the approval of a 150-home development on local farmland. South Staffordshire District Council approved Bloor Homes’ outline application for the site at Grange Farm on School Lane, despite receiving 465 objections.
Planning Committee Decision
The planning committee voted 7-5 in favor of the proposals during a meeting on February 17. Officers had recommended approval for the project, which also features a health hub, land for expanding a first school, a flood storage area, and improved drainage systems.
Local Flooding and Traffic Worries
Ward councillors Wendy Sutton and Diane Holmes raised concerns about existing flooding problems in the area. Coun. Sutton stated: “I have had a lot of correspondence in relation to the flooding issues I have dealt with as a district councillor in the past 13 years. Having read the commentaries by the county council, I’m somewhat resolved. But it is of great concern, especially the access off Brewood Road – it has serious impact on traffic flow through Coven.”
Coun. Holmes added: “I endorse everything that has been said, but I do have some positive points to make. The prospect of a new GP building would be an addition to the quality of life for residents and more affordable homes and bungalows for local people will add to the prospect of a more satisfied local community.”
Resident Opposition
Local resident Charles Wallace echoed widespread objections at the meeting. He said: “This is a totally inappropriate plan – 150 homes will increase the size of Coven by nearly ten per cent and in the process it will destroy its green centre and centuries of old farming history. Coven may not be a quaint Cotswold village but it is still a village and it should remain so. Bloor’s plans do nothing to enhance or improve the lives of existing Coven residents – it will be hugely damaging in the short and long term. It will add hundreds of cars directly into the centre of the village, which is already overloaded at peak times. It’s dangerous now – to add any more traffic whatsoever in this location would be extremely negligent.”
Arguments in Favor
Neil Cox, representing the applicant, highlighted benefits including affordable housing. He noted that half the homes will be affordable, with 10% as ground-floor bungalows. Cox added: “The access onto Brewood Road is acceptable and safe in principle and traffic will only have a negligible impact. Drainage, including flood alleviation measures, reduce flood risk to the adjacent school site, School Lane and Brewood Road. It is recognised the proposal has attracted much public concern. The application comes before you with no objections from statutory consultees. It will deliver much-needed affordable homes and all green space will be maintained through a management company.”
