Councillors back plan for five new homes on Staffordshire green belt - despite concerns

Councillors have agreed five homes can be built in the Green Belt – despite concerns over ‘adverse impact’ on the countryside.

Planning committee members at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council voted to grant permission in principle for up to five homes in a field south of Longlands, in Cheadle Road, on the edge of Cheddleton.

The application had been recommended for refusal by planning officers.

While officers accepted that the land is ‘grey belt’, they suggested the benefits of five homes would not outweigh the scheme’s detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area.

But members of the planning committee went against their officers recommendation and approved the application.

Teresa Critchlow, agent for the applicant, told the committee that the site is next to the development boundary of Cheddleton with buildings on three sides.

She said: “Residential development has been permitted on both sides of the road, and members have also approved the development of two Green Belt sites immediately to the south.

“Development of the site provides a logical linear of development which is sandwiched between existing developments.

Committee chair Peter Wilkinson said the council had previously refused a similar permission in principle application only for the decision to be overturned on appeal.

He said: “It’s a sustainable site, the officers accept it’s grey belt. We also have a shortfall of housing and a lack of a five-year supply. So to me the balance is probably in favour of approval.”

With permission in principle applications, planning authorities can only consider location, land use and the amount of development. All other matters will be covered by a subsequent technical details application, and building work cannot start until this is approved.