Persimmon Planning Oversight Raises Questions About New Build Development Controls

A controversial housing development in Staffordshire has sparked debate about planning controls after being built 2.4 metres higher than neighbours expected, raising concerns about oversight of major housing projects.

The Pottery Gardens development of 125 homes, approved in 2020, has left existing residents claiming they were misled about the final heights of the properties. Local resident Tracy Milward, whose dormer bungalow now sits in the shadow of what she describes as "the equivalent of a three-storey house," points to crucial omissions in the original planning documentation.

"The original plans did not include elevation drawings," Mrs Milward explained. "When the work began, we watched them construct a massive wall and it became clear they were building the land up by four feet to make it easier for them. We objected straight away – before a brick was built in any of the homes, but we were just dismissed."

The situation has highlighted potential gaps in the planning process. At a recent planning committee meeting, Adrian Milward questioned the current system: "How can you build a storey higher on someone else's level boundary and that be acceptable? Large developers are getting carte blanche and building what they want while local residents are working within the planning constraints."

The impact extends beyond the Milwards' property. Residents on Ness Grove now face double fencing arrangements with concrete spillage into their gardens and gravel-boards struggling to retain elevated earth. Valerie Betteley, 74, explained: "The original plan was for the new houses to have tiered gardens but the new residents wanted them flat so they added hundreds of tonnes of soil to make them level."

While both Persimmon and Staffordshire Moorlands district council acknowledge that remedial work is needed for concrete clearing and fence installation, progress has stalled due to requirements for all affected houses to agree to proposed solutions.

The council maintains that "the houses themselves have been built in accordance with the approved plans which were subject to a planning application and full public consultation in 2018." However, a visit by planning officials after construction reportedly left them "horrified" at what had been approved.

Persimmon's North West spokesperson defended the development: "The new homes have been built at the approved floor levels and in the correct location as specified in the details submitted as part of the original planning application in 2020."

The case raises important questions about the adequacy of current planning controls and the level of detail required in initial applications. With outline planning permission granted for a further 133 houses and a school in the area, residents fear these issues may be repeated in future phases of development.

This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of scrutinising planning applications thoroughly and ensuring all relevant documentation, particularly elevation drawings and boundary treatments, are properly assessed before construction begins.