The Planning Committee of Staffordshire County Council met on Thursday, 4 June 2026, to discuss the annual safety of sports grounds report and a planning application concerning HGV movements at Saredon Quarry. The committee refused the application to vary HGV movement conditions at Saredon Quarry due to concerns about residential amenity.

Annual Report to the Planning Committee of the Safety of Sports Grounds

Mark Wilson, Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety, presented the annual report on the safety of sports grounds for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The report detailed the council's statutory obligations under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1987. Staffordshire County Council is responsible for designated grounds, which include Burton Albion Football Club, and seven regulated stands.

The report highlighted the work undertaken with Burton Albion Football Club, including issuing a revised safety certificate and conducting safety advisory group meetings and event day inspections. It also detailed inspections at high and medium-risk venues. A significant focus for the upcoming year will be assisting venue safety management teams with the implementation of the Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2005, also known as Martyn's Law¹.

The Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) audit in March 2026 rated Staffordshire as low risk, with the County Council receiving its highest score to date for discharging its statutory obligations. The report also noted engagement with sports grounds following the raising of the UK national threat level to severe in April 2026, advising venues to review their contingency plans.

Councillor Jon Pendleton raised a query regarding the Staffordshire County Showground being rated as high risk but not mentioning preparations for Martyn's Law. Mr. Wilson assured the committee that all venues receive support and engagement, with higher-risk venues receiving more regular interaction.

Appointment of Members to the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel

Jo Piech presented a report recommending the appointment of seven members to the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel. The recommended members were Councillors Mike Broome, Bob Egginton, Neil Parton, Nicholas Thompson, Val Chapman, Su Beardmore, and Rhys Machin. Councillor Jack Rose proposed, and Councillor Su Beardmore seconded, the acceptance of the recommendation, which was approved by the committee.

Application for Permission: NRS Saredon Quarry Ltd

Catherine Wooldridge presented a planning application from NRS Saredon Quarry Ltd to vary condition 14(e)(ii) of permission SCC/21/0070/FULL-ES, relating to HGV movements at Saredon Hill Quarry. The application sought to increase the number of HGVs permitted to enter or leave the site between 6:00 and 7:00 AM and between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM from two concrete mixer vehicles to ten HGVs.

Objections were received from Saredon Parish Council and local residents, citing concerns about vibration, noise, dust, breaches of existing conditions, and highway condition. The Planning Regulation Team reported numerous complaints and investigations into breaches of operating hours and HGV movements.

The officer's recommendation was to refuse the application. The key issue was the increase in HGV movements during sensitive hours, which was considered to have an unacceptable adverse impact on residential amenity, contrary to policies in the Minerals Local Plan for Staffordshire and the South Staffordshire Core Strategy. The report concluded that the material planning objections outweighed the material planning benefits, and the proposals did not represent sustainable development.

During the public speaking session, Nathan Bird, a local resident, spoke on behalf of himself and other residents, highlighting concerns about dust, disturbance, and the impact on sleep and quality of life. He stated that existing planning conditions were not being properly enforced and that the application risked legitimising non-compliant behaviour. Councillor Bob Cope, representing Saredon Parish Council, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the lack of recent quarry liaison committee meetings and the impact of early morning HGV movements on residents. Alex Job, the planning agent for NRS Saredon Quarry Ltd, argued that the application sought flexibility rather than an overall increase in HGV movements and would support local businesses. Councillor Baker also spoke in objection, reinforcing the concerns about noise, sleep disturbance, and the potential weakening of enforcement.

Following discussion, Councillor Jon Pendleton proposed, and Councillor Jack Rose seconded, the acceptance of the officer's recommendation to refuse the application. The committee voted to refuse the application. Councillor Michelle Woods declared an interest as a local resident and abstained from voting.

Planning Policy and Development Management - Full Year Report 2025-2026

Julie Castree-Denton presented the full-year performance report for the Planning Policy and Development Management team for the 2025-2026 financial year. The report detailed the team's activities in planning application decisions and planning policy making.

The report indicated that the total number of cases determined was higher than the previous year, with 100% of major development decisions and county council developments determined within the government time limit or agreed extensions. 90% of applications were determined under delegated powers. The report also covered the progress on the Annual Monitoring Report and the upcoming review of the Minerals and Waste Local Plans, noting the impact of potential local government reorganisation in Staffordshire.

The committee noted the report.