Packmoor plan's a 'demolition order'

Campaigner says hundreds of homes will 'create chaos'

- Phil Corrigan

A CONTROVERSIAL masterplan will be a 'demolition order' for the identity of part of Stoke-on-Trent, councillors heard.

The city council is drawing up plans that may see up to 800 homes built on council-owned farmland east of Packmoor.

More than 1,300 people signed a petition against the proposals, which it said would be 'absolutely catastrophic' for Packmoor, doubling its size and placing further strain on overstretched infrastructure. The support for the petition triggered a debate at Thursday's full council meeting.

Lead petitioner Darren Bamford told members he had lived in the area all his life, and represented thousands of people opposing the 'flawed plan'

He said: "It is a demolition order of our identity and our last remaining green space. The residents have risen up and object to this plan - 1,300 signatures on this petition, 1,600 signatures on another online petition and 315 community surveys completed. That's real engagement. That is the true voice of Packmoor."