Sir Gavin Williamson attended an Aston by Stone action group meeting to show solidarity with residents following proposals to build on a 192-acre green-field site on the Stone Business Park boundary.
Richborough Commercial has secured a Planning Promotion Agreement to promote the land for industrial, logistical, and manufacturing use, with a potential 1.5 million square foot of space.
Dozens of local residents as well as Borough Councillors and planning experts attended a meeting on Friday, 29th November at Aston by Stone Village Hall. The plan is for an Action Group to be set up that will bring together residents with a variety of experience to oppose the plans and protect Stone’s Green Belt.
Simon Bell, a member of the Action Group said: “The proposal for warehousing and more industrial development when there is a perfectly good brownfield site in Meaford four miles up the road that has only one business on site clearly shows that there is no need for more warehousing builds.
“We have one aim with our fighting Group of Talent and that is to ensure that all local residents and Councillors are aware of the visual and spatial impact the proposal would have, this would also create massive urban encroachment into the rural character of the rural village area
“Having Sir Gavin support us from day one is vital in the battle for awareness and communication.”
Sir Gavin said: "I welcomed the opportunity to attend the public meeting in Aston by Stone and I join residents in strongly opposing plans to build yet more industrial units on Green Belt Land.
“Another white elephant project would not bring the benefits that the planners claim. We already have a number of large empty units in the Town, and more concreting over our green spaces would just affect residents’ quality of life as well as blight local landscapes.
“Overdevelopment must be stopped as we do not want the boundary of Stone to be drawn closer to Stafford. The unique identity of the Town must be protected.
“I call on Stafford Borough Council to unequivocally state that any proposals to build on this 192-acre site are swiftly rejected and I will be doing everything I can to thrawt this development and protect green spaces for residents as well as future generations to come.
