Council now facing 'crisis of confidence' over homes plan

1,334 names on petition against 800 houses

- Phil Corrigan

CONTROVERSIAL plans to develop farmland in part of Stoke-on-Trent have sparked a 'crisis of confidence' in a council, campaigners say.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is drawing up a masterplan for Packmoor, which could see up to 800 homes built on council-owned greenfield land. The site has also been earmarked for housing in the council's draft local plan.

A total of 1,334 people signed a petition calling on the council to abandon the plans, which they say will harm the environment, place extra pressure on local roads and services, and erode Packmoor's 'village identity.

Lead petitioner Darren Bamford told scrutiny committee members that the council had so far failed to listen to local residents' concerns.

He said: "Local residents and neighbouring communities stand united against the proposed masterplan.

"The strength of feeling is so profound that ward councillor David Mountford felt compelled to resign from the Labour Party to stand with his residents.