The Planning Committee of Staffordshire Council met on Thursday 2 April 2026, approving a variation to conditions at Pyford Brook Quarry, a correction to a report concerning Rugeley Quarry, and granting delegated authority for a hazardous substance consent application.

Pyford Brook Quarry Variation Application

The committee approved an application by Cemex UK Operations Limited to vary conditions attached to the planning permission for Pyford Brook Quarry[^1]. The application sought to regularise changes to the plant site, haul road, and bunds, and to amend conditions relating to out-of-hours working.

Concerns were raised by Alrewas Parish Council and Kings Bromley Parish Council regarding out-of-hours working, the colour of the silos, and the increased height of aggregate bins. Councillor Stuart Threlfall, representing Alrewas Parish Council, argued that the condition requiring prior approval for out-of-hours work was a fundamental safeguard for the local community, which Cemex had previously agreed to. Councillor Stephen Cox, speaking for Kings Bromley Parish Council, highlighted that the increase in aggregate bin height was a material change and not a minor variation.

Thomas Cox, a minerals planner for Cemex, stated that the application was a common practice for major developments to regularise as-built changes and that the proposed amendments were minor. He argued that requiring further permission for out-of-hours working, when Section 61 consents from the district council were already in place, created unnecessary delays. He also noted that repainting the entire ready-mix plant would be unreasonable given the permission's expiry in August 2027.

The case officer confirmed that the silos were painted white in accordance with the planning condition, although a green colour had been discussed during the original application process but was never secured as a condition. The committee voted to permit the development with modified conditions, subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

Correction to a Report - Rugeley Quarry

The committee approved a correction to a previous report concerning Rugeley Quarry. The error involved an incorrect reference to the conservation scheme at Bevins Birches instead of the correct Adjoining Land in the previous committee report from 1 August 2024. This correction was necessary to ensure the decision was sound before the Section 106 legal agreement was updated and the decision notice issued. The local member, Councillor Jon Pendleton, sought confirmation that no new land permissions or operational scope were being introduced, which was confirmed by officers. The committee unanimously approved the correction.

Hazardous Substance Consent Delegation Authority Request

The committee considered a request for delegated authority to determine a hazardous substance consent application for the storage of biogas at the Roundhill Anaerobic Digestion Facility, operated by Severn Trent Green Power Limited. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency were consulted, with the HSE indicating a 13-week assessment period. The recommendation was to grant delegated authority to the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Cabinet Member for Connectivity, to determine the application upon receipt of consultation responses. This was to avoid unnecessary delays. The committee unanimously approved the recommendation.