Families fighting plans to build 32 homes on former textile factory in Leek



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DOZENS of families are fighting plans to build 32 homes on the site of a former textile factory.

An application for 20 houses and a three-storey block of 12 apartments on the former Slimma factory site, in Leek, was refused by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council last year.

But applicant Renew Land Developments appealed against the decision and the planning inspector gave a ‘split decision’ – giving permission for the houses but not the apartments.

Now the authority’s planning committee looks set to approve the developer’s new application with a two-storey apartment block at the Barngate Street site.

A report to the committee said the council had received 61 letters and emails about the application.

It stated: “A number of concerns have been raised by local residents including traffic, parking, the proposed access and the density of development.

“However, the planning inspector did not consider there were any significant issues with the proposal, other than the impact on the setting of the listed Waterloo Mill and the residential amenities of the occupants of No.33 Waterloo Road and the level of information relating to parking provision for the apartments.”

It added: “The revised application for the site overcomes the concerns of the Planning Inspector relating to the design of the apartment building in relation to listed building setting and residential amenity.

“The additional information needed to further justify parking provision is also considered to be acceptable.”

Renew Land Developments said the houses would be affordable and the apartments would be used for ‘assisted living’ purposes.

The site currently stands empty after the Slimma factory was demolished in March 2013.

But residents argue the number of houses is too great for the 0.35 hectare plot.

Jamie Kelly, aged 40, of Westwood Road, said: “I just think it’s too many extra people in an already crowded residential area.

“There are parking and traffic problems that spread outwards from these roads anyway. I have been told there will be a car park, but what about visitors?”

June Elliot, aged 71, of Junction Road, said: “Something a lot of people in that area are worried about is the visual impact of the houses as well as space.

“Having a three-storey block of flats is out of the question, and I’m not sure how they will fit all those houses in that spot.”