Proposals to build a new development of cottages for the over 50's in Biddulph have attracted objections from local residents and councillors.

An outline planning application submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council seeks to build six new cottages, along with a communal garden and seven parking spaces, at 48 Tunstall Road.

However, members of Biddulph Town Council's Planning Committee raised concerns about the plans at a virtual Zoom meeting yesterday. Ten members of the public have also submitted letters of objection against the application.

At yesterdays meeting, Cllr Nigel Yates felt that the application sought to "squeeze too much into the space".

He said: "Building developments within the town is something we're looking to seek, so that's a positive, but I just feel on this particular one that they're trying to squeeze too much into the space available.

"It's two bedrooms for all six houses with only seven parking spaces, so I think the provision for parking spaces seems a bit squeezed in.

He also discussed the potential access road to the site, saying: "The access is on quite a steep road and it appears to have no provision for footpaths, so it's squeezing everything into the site that concerns me."

Town Mayor Cllr John Jones shared these concerns, adding: "I'm also a bit worried about this, it does seem a bit compressed and the access is a bit steep and narrow.

"Maybe four or five houses would've been okay, but six seems excessive."

While Cllr Charlie Smith, who felt the site may suffer from a lack of privacy, said: "If that application was to go ahead as it looks in the plans, it seems as though there'd be no privacy because of the higher elevation of other houses on Tunstall Road.

"Those houses would be directly overlooking it, and I agree with the concerns that it's over-development."

Town councillors agreed to recommend the application for refusal due to the over-development and access concerns.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council will have the final say on the plans, with a decision expected by 21st July.

To find out more or submit a comment to the council, visit the application's page on the council's planning portal here.