Claims that 2,000 social houses are set to be built in a Stoke-on-Trent village are 'completely inaccurate', council leaders say.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council says posters being put up around Packmoor are spreading 'misinformation' about the authority's plans for the area.

Despite the posters bearing the the council's crest, they are nothing to do with the authority. The posters have been put up as the council is launching a consultation with Packmoor residents on how local housing, amenities and transport can be improved.

This process could result in council-owned farmland next to Packmoor being allocated for development through the local plan, with the creation of a new village 'heart'. The council owns 75 hectares of land to the east of Packmoor, which it calls 'Site A', bound by Bull Lane, Turnhurst Road, the A527 and Wedgwood Farm estate.

But council leaders insist that they will work with Packmoor residents and use feedback from the consultation to draw up their plans.

A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of a number of posters spreading misinformation that have been put up around Packmoor. These posters make unauthorised use of the council's crest – as well as the address of the national Labour party headquarters – in a deliberate attempt to mislead.

"To be clear: the council has nothing to do with these posters, or the false claims they contain. We are set to embark on a consultation with the people of Packmoor on plans to create a new village heart, and address long-standing issues such as a lack of facilities, poor connectivity, a lack of high-quality and affordable housing, and falling school rolls. The local community will play a vital role in shaping this vision.

"The claim about '2,000 new social houses' being planned for Packmoor is completely inaccurate. It is very disappointing someone would seek to mislead residents in this manner about what is a very positive opportunity."

Cabinet members approved the launch of the consultation at their meeting this week, as well as agreeing to the principle of making some of Site A available for future investment, 'which will be shaped by the outcome of this engagement exercise'.

According to the cabinet report, Packmoor has developed in a 'piecemeal' way, leaving it isolated from the rest of Stoke-on-Trent. Other issues identified by the council include a lack of local shops, poor bus services, a need for new housing, long waits for doctors' appointments and congestion on Bull Lane.

Cabinet members insist they will listen to Packmoor residents. Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: "It's really important to us that we hear the views of the public as we make decisions to move our city forward. We emphasise it repeatedly because it is true. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the views of local people, people with skin in the game, are heard loudly and clearly.

"Packmoor is a great area with great people, and we've listened when people have told us that they want to see their area improved. It's really important that we are able to work with the community in order to do that, whether that's access to GP services, the sustainability of local schools, the need for new housing or the need for improved bus services.

"There's always an element of fear when you talk about changing things, and we understand that. It's unfortunate that in the last few days some false information has been circulated regarding this."

The council has hired consultants from Augarde to carry out a six-week community engagement, which will include workshops, focus groups and informal meetings. At the end of this process a report will be drawn up, compiling residents' views.

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READ MORE: Dozens of council houses in Stoke-on-Trent set to be improved

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