Plans for 80 homes and 85 care homes in Brewood were refused

Plans to build 85 homes and an 80-bed care home in Staffordshire have been rejected.

South Staffordshire Council rejected the plans, which would have seen the development built on green belt land at Hockerhill Farm, Brewood.

The plans attracted 114 objections, with many pointing to the potential loss of protected land.

Developer Boningale Homes had argued there was a “fundamental” local need in the area for housing, as well as housing for the elderly.

Alongside the housing and residence, the plans also include community parking, public open space and landscaping.

A planning release states that the district’s population, particularly the elderly, is increasing and that the project would therefore meet local demand.

“This is a significantly positive contribution to the identified needs of South Staffordshire,” the home paper says.

Public objections also included pressure on local GP services, increased traffic and an adverse effect on wildlife and habitats.

South Staffordshire Council said the developer’s arguments did not meet the “very special circumstances” needed to compensate for damage to the green belt.

He added that the residence was considered to have a “detrimental impact” on the surroundings of nearby designated heritage assets – the Brewood Conservation Area and a cluster of Grade II listed buildings centered on the Roman Catholic Church of St maria

The decision also noted that insufficient information had been provided for a number of areas, including flood risk, road safety and the impact on protected species.