The Planning Committee of Staffordshire Council met on Thursday 02 October 2025 and considered three planning applications. The committee resolved to refuse an application for a clinical waste treatment facility at Hickson Industrial Estate, approved an extension to extraction areas at Hintz Quarry, and approved a variation to conditions for an alternative fuel facility at Cauldon Cement Works.

Clinical Waste Treatment Facility Application Refused

The committee considered an application by In Waste Hickson Limited for a change of use at the Hickson Industrial Estate to a clinical waste treatment facility. The application had been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate due to the council's failure to determine it within the statutory period.

The case officer, David Bray, explained that the proposed facility would process 3,504 tonnes of clinical, medical, and hazardous waste per annum. He noted that while technical statutory consultees had not objected, concerns had been raised by Hickson Parish Council, Stowe by Chartley Parish Council, and local MP Sir Gavin Williamson regarding health risks, proximity to St Peter's Primary School and residential properties, and emissions. A petition signed by 92 residents also opposed the application.

The officer's report highlighted that the proposal did not accord with the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Waste Local Plan's spatial strategy for waste management facilities, particularly regarding locational criteria for regional and national scale facilities. The applicant had not demonstrated that the site was sustainably located to minimise transport impacts or that viable, sustainable alternatives had been considered. The report concluded that material planning objections outweighed material planning benefits, and therefore, had the council been able to determine the application, it would have been refused.

Amelia Garner, a resident and mother of a child at St Peter's Primary School, spoke against the application, emphasizing the proximity of the proposed facility to the school and the potential health risks to children. She questioned the applicant's track record and transparency, citing concerns about the registered address and the company's independence. She also highlighted issues with air quality modelling and the potential for emissions to affect the school and local homes.

Councillor Brendan McCowan, Chairman of Hickson Parish Council, echoed these concerns, stating that the parish council had objected to the application due to the untried and untested nature of the process and the proximity to the school. He expressed a lack of confidence in the applicant, citing a lack of previous experience and transparency.

Dudley Saunders, the planning agent for In Waste Hickson Limited, spoke in support of the application, highlighting the national and regional need for clinical waste treatment capacity, the potential to export low-carbon heat and power to neighbouring industrial sites, and the creation of 20 new jobs. He stated that statutory consultees had confirmed the environmental impacts were acceptable and that the facility would operate within strict regulatory limits.

Councillor Neil Parton raised questions about fire risks, the openness of information regarding what would be incinerated, and potential compensation for local residents through cheaper electricity bills. The case officer responded that the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service had no objections, and that emissions would be controlled by a permit from Stafford Borough Council. He noted that cheaper electricity was not a material planning consideration.

Following further discussion and clarification on fire safety measures, the committee unanimously resolved to refuse the application, confirming that had the County Council been able to determine it, planning permission would have been refused.

Extension to Hintz Quarry Approved

The committee considered an application by Tarmac Trading Limited and CEMEX UK Operations Limited for a proposed extension to the extraction area and consolidation with existing planning permission at Hintz Quarry, Watling Street, Tamworth.

The case officer, Matthew Davies, explained that the proposal involved an additional 4.2 hectares of agricultural land, bringing the total site area to approximately 99 hectares. The extension would allow for the extraction of an additional 1.4 million tonnes of sand and gravel, extending operations until the end of 2031. The proposed afteruses include nature conservation, with plans for heathland, acid grassland, and woodland, as well as the reinstatement of agricultural land and public rights of way. The restoration scheme aims to deliver a 24% biodiversity net gain.

No objections were received from technical statutory consultees, although concerns were raised by Swinfin and Packington Parish Council and residents regarding restoration progress, traffic impact, and community liaison. The report concluded that the proposal accorded with the Minerals Local Plan, including the principle of development on allocated land and the need to demonstrate significant material benefits for any development on unallocated land. The ongoing operations were considered not inappropriate in the Green Belt.

Councillor Neil Parton inquired about the progress of restoration in other parts of the site, the timeframe for completion, whether the land would be returned to farmland, and the number of trees affected by the proposed demolition. Mr Davies clarified that restoration is progressive, agricultural land would be restored, and trees around disused cottages would be removed, with replacement planting as part of the biodiversity net gain.

Councillor Mike Rose questioned the reliance on aggregate for HS2, given its reduced scope, and the historical value of the cottages to be demolished. Mr Davies explained that Tarmac has contracts for specific sections of HS2 and that Hintz Quarry would provide flexibility for other markets. He also noted that the cottages dated back to the late 19th century and that a historical record and bat survey would be undertaken before demolition.

The committee voted unanimously to permit the proposed development, subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and the imposition of conditions.

Variation of Conditions at Cauldon Cement Works Approved

The committee considered an application by Geocycle UK Limited at Cauldon Cement Works, Earlsway, Staffordshire, to revise the feedstock mix for the alternative fuel facility. The proposal sought to change the permitted fuel mix from 68% solid fuel and liquid fuel to 100% solid fuel, removing the liquid fuel element and updating the approved layout.

The case officer, Isabel Davies, explained that the application did not propose an increase in the total tonnage of feedstock or operating hours, but rather a shift to solid fuels to improve environmental performance and efficiency. An additional over-road pipeline was proposed to feed high calorific value materials directly to the cement works.

Objections were received from Waterhouses Parish Council, citing concerns about plastic waste escaping from the existing conveyor system. The parish council requested that operations cease until the issue was fully rectified. Joel Jessop, the applicant's agent, stated that the issue with the conveyor's rubber seals had been resolved through remedial work and frequent monitoring. He emphasized that the proposed development involved a sealed pipeline, not a conveyor, and that statutory consultees had no objections.

Councillor Neil Parton suggested a team be set up to monitor for escaped plastic. The case officer explained that the Environment Agency regulates pollution control and is satisfied with the remedial measures, and that the county council's planning regulation team also monitors complaints. A condition was recommended to control litter outside the site boundary.

Councillor Jack Rose questioned the parish council about the effectiveness of the remedial works. Chris Hinton, representing Waterhouses Parish Council, stated that it was difficult to determine the current state of rectification due to a lack of high winds since the early part of the year, but reiterated the council's desire for safeguards against future plastic emissions.

Councillor Warwick McKenzie commended the applicant for burning plastic waste, diverting it from landfill, and noted the projected reduction in CO2 emissions. Councillor Val Chapman inquired about comments regarding the loss of green space and tree protection measures. The case officer confirmed that existing conditions relating to landscaping would be updated, and new conditions for litter control and tree protection would be imposed.

Councillor Nicholas Lakin raised concerns about the use of plastics as fuel, given their oil-based origin, and inquired about proposals for using green energy. The case officer explained that the current application was a variation of an existing permission and that future proposals were outside the scope of the current consideration. The agent confirmed he did not have information on wider green energy proposals.

The committee voted unanimously to permit the proposed development, approving the variation of planning conditions.