The Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Planning Applications Committee met to discuss several planning applications, including amendments to previously approved plans and new proposals for residential development. A non-material amendment regarding a flexible energy facility was approved, while an application for retrospective consent for an agricultural building was withdrawn. The committee also approved a variation to conditions for a housing development at Blythe Park, and a variation to a condition relating to drainage at Springfield Drive, Leek, despite local objections; and refused an application for a new dwelling in Ipstones.

Blythe Park Housing Development

The committee approved a Section 73 application to vary conditions 4 and 12 of outline planning permission SMD/2021/0829 for a housing development at Blythe Park, Sandon Road, Cresswell. This variation relates to changes to a link drive at the junction of Cresswell Lane and Uttoxeter Road. The changes were required because Staffordshire County Council (SCC) had revised its Highways Maintainable at Public Expense (HMPE) plan, indicating that Church Lane, where the link road was originally planned to emerge, was no longer under their ownership.

The new proposal involves a one-way loop to the north of Uttoxeter Road, avoiding Church Lane. According to the planning documents, 17 letters of objection were received, raising concerns about highway safety and traffic. Draycott in the Moors Parish Council also objected, arguing that the application provided insufficient data and that the changes would negatively impact residents. Checkley Parish Council also objected, raising concerns about highway safety and the quality of the applicant's transport assessment.

Despite these objections, the Local Highways Authority (SCC) had no objection to the proposal. The committee concluded that, in the absence of an objection from the Local Highways Authority, it could not substantiate a refusal on highways grounds. The committee also found that the proposal complied with policies T1 and DC1 of the Local Plan regarding highway safety, traffic generation, parking, and sustainable transport.

The approval was subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 Planning Obligation Deed of Variation¹ and several conditions relating to phasing, highway works, flood risk, and ecology.

Springfield Drive Drainage

The committee approved an application to vary condition 9 of planning approval SMD/2016/0134 for land adjacent to The Orchard, Springfield Drive, Leek, relating to foul and surface water drainage. The application sought to change the drainage plans to reflect a revised attenuation tank position.

The report noted that following approval of SMD/2016/0134 there was a two-year Section 7 audit by Staffordshire County Council, during which time dialogue between the respective drainage experts acting for the Applicant and SCC led to a recommended change in the location of the storm water cellular crate attenuation system.

Ten neighbour representations were initially received, objecting to the plans on the grounds that the works had already been completed without approval, that an extra tank was required, and that the system was not functioning correctly. A further letter signed by 12 residents of Springfield Drive reiterated concerns regarding the lack of explicit approval of drainage plans, the discharge location of surface water, and the capacity of drains to accommodate additional flows.

Despite these objections, Severn Trent Water and the Lead Local Flood Authority were consulted and raised no objections to the revised drainage proposals. The committee concluded that, in the absence of any objection from the technical consultees, there were no sustainable grounds for refusal.

Belmont Road, Ipstones

The committee refused an outline planning application (SMD/2025/0329) for a single new dwelling within the garden curtilage of 15 Belmont Road, Ipstones. The application was submitted in outline with all matters reserved.

The planning officer's report stated that the site lies outside of the village's development boundary, and the proposal did not meet the criteria for new housing in the countryside as defined by local plan policies SS10 and H1. The report concluded that the development would not be well related to the existing pattern of development and would intrude on the countryside.

The committee agreed with the officer's recommendation and refused the application, finding that the proposal was contrary to local plan policies and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Land off Rownall Road, Wetley Rocks

The committee was scheduled to consider application SMD/2025/0339 for retrospective consent for the addition of enclosing walls to an agricultural building off Rownall Road, Wetley Rocks. However, according to the agenda, this application was withdrawn.

Land Adjacent Cellarhead Substation, Rownall Road, Wetley Rocks

The committee approved application NMA/2025/0018 for a non-material amendment to the wording of condition 15 on planning permission SMD/2022/0444 for land adjacent to Cellarhead Substation, Rownall Road, Wetley Rocks. Condition 15 relates to the submission of a Materials Management Plan (MMP). The amendment sought to alter the trigger for submitting the MMP, allowing commencement works to take place before the MMP is submitted.

The planning officer's report noted that 15 letters objecting to the application had been received, raising concerns about the impact on the green belt and the lack of a detailed MMP before construction starts. However, the officer concluded that the proposed changes were non-material and would not have a significant impact on the overall scheme.

Other Matters

The committee also discussed performance on planning appeals and an enforcement update, but these discussions were held in private due to the confidential nature of the information.