(An artist's impression of the Stafford Station Gateway)
Staffordshire County Council's cabinet have approved a long-term plan that coordinates future developments and economic growth opportunities across Staffordshire.
The county’s newly approved Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SIP) will support the construction of new homes, whilst ensuring that the new communities are provided with job opportunities, high-quality transport links, leisure facilities and excellent digital connections. The plan also ties in with Staffordshire’s green agenda, and the development of the region's Local Industrial Strategy.
The SIP involves a seires of ongoing county-wide reports - that will provide an overview of the county's economic performance - to inform regional policy makers, potential developers, investors, transport organisations and energy and waste companies.
The plan supports the County Council’s role as a strategic authority for Staffordshire - coordinating future developments and infastructure investments across the region. It will also support funding bids to Central Government, and help drive public investment.
The SIP aligns local plans of all the county’s district and boroughs, along with the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It includes information about planned developments in Staffordshire’s neighbouring areas, so that infrastructure can be put in place earlier in the process to 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 Station Gateway and Burleyfields, Branston Locks near Burton, Liberty Park in Lichfield, Tamworth Golf Course, Rugeley Power Station, Keele Science and Innovation Park, Biddulph and Codsall.
(The Smart Innovation Hub located at Keele Science and Innovation Park)
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.”