Villagers' Protest Fails as Council Approves 150-Home Farmland Development
Hundreds of residents in the Midlands village of Coven have lost their battle against a major housing development, after South Staffordshire District Council approved plans for 150 new homes on farmland. The decision came despite a significant wave of local opposition, with the council receiving 465 formal objections to the proposal.
Controversial Planning Decision
The application by Bloor Homes for preliminary approval to develop land at Grange Farm, School Lane, was passed by a vote of seven to five at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, February 17. Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, noting it includes not only housing but also a health hub, land for expanding a first school, a flood storage area, and drainage improvements.
Local councillors expressed mixed views during the debate. Ward councillor Wendy Sutton highlighted persistent flooding issues in the area, stating, "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." She raised concerns about traffic impact, particularly regarding access off Brewood Road, which she said affects traffic flow through Coven.
Councillor Diane Holmes acknowledged the concerns but pointed to potential benefits, saying, "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 and Support
Charles Wallace, a Coven resident, voiced the frustrations of many objectors at the meeting. He argued that the development would increase the village size by nearly ten percent, destroying its green centre and centuries of farming history. "Coven may not be a quaint Cotswold village but it is still a village and it should remain so," he said, warning that adding hundreds of cars to an already overloaded centre would be dangerous and negligent.
In contrast, Neil Cox, an agent speaking in favour, emphasised that half the homes would be affordable housing and that flood alleviation measures had been developed with Staffordshire County Council. He stated, "The access onto Brewood Road is acceptable and safe in principle and traffic will only have a negligible impact." He added that drainage plans would reduce flood risk to nearby areas, including the school site, School Lane, and Brewood Road.
Cox noted that while the proposal attracted public concern, it had no objections from statutory consultees and would maintain all green space through a management company, with 10% of homes being ground-floor bungalows.
The approval marks a significant moment for Coven, balancing the need for new housing against community preservation and environmental considerations, as the village faces changes to its landscape and infrastructure.
