Controversial plans to more than double the size of a new housing estate on the edge of a Staffordshire village are set to be approved.

Work to build 40 homes in fields off Tenford Lane, Upper Tean has already got underway, after a planning application was approved last year.

Markden Homes North West now wants to build another 47 properties, mostly on part of the site previously set aside for public open space. Environmental health officers had raised concerns over the noise impact of neighbouring kennels if the western third of the site was developed. But the kennels have since closed down, meaning noise impact is now longer a concern for officers.

A total of 36 residents have objected to the plans, saying the development will put pressure on local roads and services, as well as resulting in the loss of open space. Cheadle Town Council and Checkley Parish Council have also submitted objections.

But officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have recommended the application for approval, saying none of the objections are strong enough to justify blocking the homes.

Markden Homes now wants to build another 47 properties on the site (Google).

The report to the planning applications committee states: "The proposed development conflicts with policies in the development plan concerning strategic housing location due to its position outside of the settlement boundary of Upper Tean.

"However, the National Planning Policy Framework is a strong material consideration in the determination of applications. It sets out a presumption in favour of sustainable development and places great emphasis on the delivery of new housing to ensure sufficient five year housing land supply.

"Where a local planning authority cannot demonstrate a five year housing land supply… the 'titled balance' applies which places the weight of decision making in favour of giving planning permission."

The report says this tilted balance applies as SMDC only has a housing land supply of 3.58 years. Officers believe that specific issues relating to highways, wildlife and environmental health can be addressed with conditions.

But many of the objectors say Tenford Lane will not be able to cope with even more traffic.

In his objection, Tenford Lane resident Andrew Harrison states: "The original plans should not have been given the go ahead without the lane being widened. And now to add more houses to the development is ludicrous. I live where the lane is at its thinnest and we are having site traffic coming up the lane going way too fast."

The additional homes will be mostly three and four-bedroom properties. Across the two phases, there will be 29 affordable homes, in line with the requirement for a residential development of this size.

Members of the planning applications committee will consider the plans at their meeting on October 17.

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