Baxenden Bank
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Report in the local press today (The Sentinel, Stoke-on-Trent) that planning permission has been refused by Staffordshire Moorlands District council for a housing development at Leekbrook. The development being linked financially to re-opening the line between Leekbrook and Leek town (or close too).
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Rail-scheme-hits-buffers-housing-plan-rejected/story-29118135-detail/story.html
In brief, 37 houses were proposed in the former railway triangle at Leekbrook, from which funding would have been forthcoming towards the costs of reinstating the line towards Leek, and also re-instating the third side of the triangle at Leekbrook. A small rail halt at Leekbrook was also shown on the plans.
David Kemp, mentioned in the article, is owner of Moorland and City Railways (MCR) and also a director of the Churnet Valley Railway. MCR own / lease the sections of former Network Rail lines from Stoke-on-Trent via Endon to Leekbrook, then from Leekbrook via Ipstones to Cauldon Quarry.
Stoke-on-Trent to Endon has decades of growth obstructing the line. Endon to Leekbrook was cleared of vegetation a few years ago but was not used for passenger services. Leekbrook to Ipstones is in occasional use by the Churnet Valley Railway. The final section, Ipstones to Cauldon, was re-instated for a short while but the track has now been lifted and sold for scrap. Churnet Valley Railway operate from Leekbrook to Froghall on a regular basis.
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Rail-scheme-hits-buffers-housing-plan-rejected/story-29118135-detail/story.html
In brief, 37 houses were proposed in the former railway triangle at Leekbrook, from which funding would have been forthcoming towards the costs of reinstating the line towards Leek, and also re-instating the third side of the triangle at Leekbrook. A small rail halt at Leekbrook was also shown on the plans.
Rail scheme hits the buffers as housing plan rejected
A SCHEME to bring trains back to a town has hit the buffers after a proposed housing development that would have helped fund the work was turned down.
The plans involved selling off land near Leekbrook Industrial Estate so it could be used to build 37 homes.
Around £300,000 of the proceeds would then have been re-invested in extending the Churnet Valley Railway from Leekbrook Junction to Barnfields in Leek.
But Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning applications committee unanimously rejected the housing bid at a meeting this week.
Now the Moorland and City Railways (MCR), which was behind the wider scheme, will have to rethink its options.
MCR director David Kemp said the £300,000 from the land sale would have covered about half the cost for reinstating the old rail track that previously ran to Leek. Passenger trains last called at the market town in 1960.
Mr Kemp told the committee: "The extension would bring in the equivalent of 13 full-time jobs and the spending of around £950,000 a year in Leek."
Janette Findley, agent for the application, also highlighted the potential economic benefits of the project.
She said: "Leekbrook is a sustainable site with employment and transport. The contribution will also help the re-instatement of the railway line. The railway can make enormous contribution to jobs and tourism."
But the committee heard that a series of objections had been lodged to the proposed housing development, which would have included a mixture of three, four and five-bedroom homes, along with three blocks of two-bedroom town houses.
Concerns were raised by countryside and environmental health officials and also by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Staffordshire County Council had also stated that a financial contribution of £121,494 would be required towards school places.
Network Rail said that proposed works on the site could not go ahead until the applicant had agreed with certain terms and conditions.
A report to the committee said: "The applicant will also need to enter into an agreement with Network Rail regarding the arch that is the access and exit point into the site.
"The arch is also subject to a 150-year lease and the applicant will need to discuss and agree with Network Rail which methods of protection will need to be put in place to protect the arch from construction works and any vehicular or pedestrian access or exit."
Planning officer Rachael Simpkin said: "This plan is for 37 units and an offer is on the table for £300,000.
"The housing site does not need the railway line for permission, it could be left with housing and no railway line.
"There is also no costing for contamination, clean up and for a car park. There has been significant objections from people. There is also no affordable housing or school funding."
David Kemp, mentioned in the article, is owner of Moorland and City Railways (MCR) and also a director of the Churnet Valley Railway. MCR own / lease the sections of former Network Rail lines from Stoke-on-Trent via Endon to Leekbrook, then from Leekbrook via Ipstones to Cauldon Quarry.
Stoke-on-Trent to Endon has decades of growth obstructing the line. Endon to Leekbrook was cleared of vegetation a few years ago but was not used for passenger services. Leekbrook to Ipstones is in occasional use by the Churnet Valley Railway. The final section, Ipstones to Cauldon, was re-instated for a short while but the track has now been lifted and sold for scrap. Churnet Valley Railway operate from Leekbrook to Froghall on a regular basis.
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