To help increase control over where housing is built and better push for infrastructure-first development, Leigh Ingham MP has secured £110,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support Stafford Borough Council.

The funding will support technical studies, additional resources, and community engagement work as the council begins the process of consulting on the borough’s future: covering housing, employment, climate change, flooding, traffic, and the protection of wildlife and natural heritage.

A Local Plan sets out where development can and cannot take place across the borough. Having a robust plan in place helps prevent inappropriate development, protect the countryside, to ensure growth happens in the right places.

To support areas without an adopted plan in place, the Government has set out reforms to speed up the plan making process, requiring local authorities to prepare and adopt the plan within 30 months. As part of these reforms, Leigh Ingham MP made the case for extra investment into Stafford Borough to Housing Ministers.

Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall, and the villages, said: “We do need more homes in Stafford Borough – I speak to families weekly who are struggling to find somewhere to live – and it’s the job of government to address this. But we must build the right homes, in the right places, with the right infrastructure. That means schools, GP surgeries, roads, and flood protection to serve the new estates.

“This funding will help support the Local Plan process, so we can build the homes families need, in the best way for our existing communities – that’s why I pushed for additional funding to support the development of the plan.”

Councillor Ant Reid, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning at Stafford Borough Council, said: “A robust Local Plan regulates where development can and cannot take place, prevents inappropriate building, and protects our environment, countryside, and habitats.

“This funding will support that process, but we also need to hear from residents, businesses, and organisations. We’ll be opening a consultation soon and I’d really encourage residents to get involved.”