Key Considerations

The applicant is working with a team of technical and environmental consultants to develop a proposal; we have had regard to the following:

Highways and access

The new homes will be accessed from Stone Road (B5026), using a safe and well-designed entrance. This includes a turning lane for traffic coming from the east, helping to keep vehicles flowing smoothly and safely. We’re also keeping and improving the public footpath that runs through the middle of the site onto Sancerre Walk. This means residents and visitors will be able to walk or cycle easily into Eccleshall, linking into local paths and green spaces.

Access to the site will be provided via a new ghost island right hand turn-lane junction formed with Stone Road. The development access will serve vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists and will be compliant with local and national design guidance.
An additional point of pedestrian access will be provided along the existing Public Right of Way (Eccleshall Footpath 17) – we have engaged with Staffordshire County Council’s (SCC) Rights of Way (RoW) team to explore the potential for this to improved and upgraded (where possible).
A highways scoping note setting out the proposed TA methodology has been submitted to SCC, it is anticipated that this will be agreed/approved in advance of a planning application submission.
The application will be supported by a Travel Plan which will set out incentives to reduce single occupancy car journeys to and from the site, as well as a framework for monitoring the effectiveness of the proposed infrastructure investment.
A Transport Assessment (TA) will be submitted with the planning application, this will detail the development proposals, site accessibility, forecast trip generation and will assess the operation of the highway network in both safety and capacity terms both with and without the development.

Drainage

Whilst the site is located wholly with Flood Zone 1 parts of the site are affected by surface water drainage issues. There is a small water channel and an underground pipe across the site. Our drainage strategy envisages incorporating two attenuation ponds, swales and underground storage tanks. This will manage rainwater carefully and avoid any impacts on nearby homes or land. A Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy will support the proposals.

Landscape and visual impact

The site is surrounded by hedgerows, trees, and gentle land slopes, which already help to reduce visibility from the surrounding area. Our proposals build on this by:

Keeping existing trees and hedgerows where we can.
Adding new planting and open spaces, especially around the edges.
Designing the homes to sit comfortably in the landscape and avoid harsh boundaries.

This approach helps the development blend in naturally and creates attractive places to walk, play and relax. The layout has evolved taking on board advice from our Landscape Specialist and our application will be supported by a Landscape and Visual Assessment.

Heritage

There are no listed buildings or protected heritage areas on the site itself. While some historic buildings, like Eccleshall Castle and the Church of the Holy Trinity, are nearby, they’re well screened by trees and lie over 1km away. We’ll continue to ensure the design respects the area’s character and history.

Ecology & Trees

We’ve carried out or scheduled a full set of wildlife surveys, including for birds, bats, great crested newts and other species. Based on what we’ve found, we will:

Protect important habitats like hedgerows and a small wet woodland area.
Add new planting and create spaces for nature to thrive.
Manage green areas carefully to support wildlife in the long term.

We’re also aiming to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain, which means the site will support more nature after development than it does today.

Meeting local needs

Stafford Borough is currently falling short of the number of homes it needs to plan for each year. Eccleshall has been identified as a good place to grow, with local services, transport links, and a strong community. Our proposals include around 140 new homes, with a range of sizes and types. At least 40% will be affordable homes, helping people of all ages and backgrounds to live in the area, whether they’re first-time buyers, families, or older residents.