Posted on Tuesday 8th October 2019
Stafford Western Access Route
A long-term plan to coordinate future development and economic growth opportunities across Staffordshire is set to be approved by the county council’s cabinet.
The county’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SIP) will support the construction of new homes and ensure these communities are provided with job opportunities, high quality transport, leisure facilities ad excellent digital connections.
It will give evidence and provide a county wide overview to inform policy makers, potential developers, investors, transport organisations, energy and waste companies. The plan demonstrates the county council’s role as a strategic authority in coordinating future development and the infrastructure needed so that it can take place. It will also support funding bids to the Government and investors.
The SIP ties in with the local plans of all the county’s district and boroughs, along with the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It includes information about planned development in Staffordshire’s neighbour’s border areas, so that infrastructure can be put in place earlier on in the process and ensure the effective running of the county’s roads and community facilities.
Areas which will see larger scale homes development and employment site construction in the coming years include the Stafford Gateway and Burleyfields, Branston Locks near Burton, Liberty Park in Lichfield, Tamworth golf course, Rugeley power station, the Keele Science and Innovation Park, Biddulph and Codsall.
Staffordshire County Council’s economic growth leader Mark Winnington said:
Housing development is an essential part of Staffordshire’s continued economic growth, ensuring we have thriving communities across our county. This development needs to be carefully planned and coordinated, considering neighbouring areas, transport infrastructure, community facilities and leisure provision.
The Strategic Infrastructure Plan brings together the evidence needed for planners, investors, health and community providers and energy companies to promote the longer-term thinking necessary for future development. Crucially it also demonstrates to the Government and investors that we have a strategy in place to enable us to secure funding we will need to carry out our plans.
This high-level plan for Staffordshire will stimulate better coordination to ensure new communities have excellent schools, healthcare, leisure and community facilities, in addition to protecting established town and village residential areas.”