Packmoor Masterplan progresses despite significant public opposition

Despite months of consultation, petitions and public meetings, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Cabinet has approved the next stage of the Packmoor Masterplan, paving the way for proposals that could eventually deliver more than 800 new homes.

The decision, taken by Cabinet on Tuesday, endorses Option 4 of the Packmoor Masterplan, pushing forward the development of housing on greenbelt alongside accompanying infrastructure.

The proposals have proved among the most controversial regeneration plans in Stoke-on-Trent in recent years.

Throughout the consultation process, residents raised concerns over the scale of development, the loss of green space, increased traffic, pressure on schools and GP surgeries, and whether the consultation genuinely reflected community opinion.

One of the most vocal critics has been Great Chell and Packmoor ward Councillor David Mountford, who last year resigned from the Labour Party and became the Potteries Party's first elected councillor, citing a number of reasons, including concerns surrounding the handling of the Packmoor Masterplan.

Speaking to The Staffordshire Signal before the Cabinet meeting, Cllr Mountford said his biggest concern had always been whether the process genuinely reflected local opinion.

"Throughout this process I have spoken to hundreds of residents on the doorstep, attended countless meetings, received hundreds of emails and messages, and the overwhelming message has consistently been that residents favour Option 5 – the 'Do Nothing' option.

"While I welcome the fact that consultation has taken place, I remain concerned that many residents feel their views have not been given the weight they deserve. A consultation should not simply be an exercise in gathering opinions; people rightly expect to see how those opinions have influenced the final recommendations."

He added that he had raised concerns through the council's scrutiny process regarding transparency, infrastructure, traffic, environmental impacts and the way consultation options were presented.

Following Cabinet's decision, Cllr Mountford accused the authority of pressing ahead despite widespread opposition from residents.

In a statement published after the meeting, he said:

"Today's wasn't a victory for democracy. It was a victory for top down politics."

He continued:

"Months of scrutiny. Hundreds of conversations on doorsteps. Public meetings. Petitions. Consultation responses. Residents giving up their own time because they care about their community.

"Ignored."

Cllr Mountford also revealed that the council's Monitoring Officer had advised Cabinet that a decision should not be taken while a Stage 2 complaint relating to the process was progressing to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Despite that, Cabinet proceeded with the decision.

Reflecting on why he chose to leave the Labour Party, Cllr Mountford told The Staffordshire Signal the Packmoor Masterplan had become symbolic of wider concerns.

"The decision to leave the Labour Party was based on a number of factors rather than one single issue. However, the handling of the Packmoor Masterplan undoubtedly became symbolic of a wider frustration about local democracy and the relationship between decision makers and the communities they represent.

"As a ward councillor my first duty is to the residents who elected me. When I believed their voices were not being adequately reflected, I felt I had to stand with them."

While strongly opposing the current proposals, Cllr Mountford acknowledged the wider housing challenge facing the city.

"There is no doubt that any development on this scale would permanently change Packmoor.

"Residents have consistently raised concerns about increased traffic, pressure on GP surgeries, schools and other public services, the loss of valued green space and the impact on the character of the village.

"Equally, I recognise that Stoke-on-Trent needs new homes. My argument has never been against housing itself but that development must be genuinely sustainable, infrastructure-led and command public confidence."

He had urged Cabinet to adopt Option 5, which would have paused the current proposals.

"Listening to consultation responses only has value if those responses are capable of influencing the final decision."

The Staffordshire Signal also approached Great Chell & Packmoor ward Councillor Sue Akkurt for comment ahead of the decision. No response was received before our deadline.

Although Cabinet has now approved the Masterplan, the process is not yet complete.

The proposals will still be incorporated into the city's emerging Local Plan, which must be considered through the statutory planning process, including examination by an independent Planning Inspector. Any future development proposals would also require planning applications, each subject to their own public consultation and determination.

For supporters, the Masterplan represents an opportunity to deliver much-needed housing and investment in northern Stoke-on-Trent. For the many residents who opposed the proposals, however, this week's decision will be seen as another step towards a development they have campaigned against for months.

We will continue to follow developments as they emerge.