Cannock Chase home appeal successful

The application for Nethermoor House, which currently has capacity to care for up to 29 elderly people, was thrown out last February by Cannock Chase councillors, who said the building would be intrusive and "like building a hospital in the back garden."

But planning inspector Chris Boult gave little weight to the district council's argument.

The plans include a basement for kitchen and staff facilities, 17 bedrooms on the ground floor, a dining room and day room, a further 18 bedrooms on the first floor and another 10 on the third floor.

The planning control committee unanimously decided the proposals for the three-storey extension at the back of the existing building in Chaseley Road, Etching Hill, Rugeley, were not suitable and refused to grant permission.

Mr Boult, overturning that decision, reckoned the main issue to consider was the effect on the character and appearance on the immediate area and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

He said: "The care home is on the outskirts of the built-up area of Rugeley, where detached dwellings set in spacious, well-landscaped plots give way to the rugged scenic character of Cannock Chase.

"The AONB includes the site and also residential development within Etching Hill, to the north. The building would be in the extensive rear garden, which itself sits back from the road in grounds which, in views from the road, tall, mature trees dominate.

Mr Boult also gave little weight to the council's argument that the extension must be regarded as uncharacteristic of the pattern of development in the locality.

Councillor Doris Grice said: "I don't know why people in London can decide what happens in our area."