Staffordshire holiday lodges plans approved - despite concerns over road safety

The one and two-bedroom lodges are aimed at complementing the existing Ranton Trout Fisheries business, on Butt Lane, Ranton, near Stafford.

Highways officers and several local residents objected to the scheme, saying that it would increase the risk of accidents along the narrow country lanes leading to the site. They also raised concerns that the lodges would be ‘entirely reliant’ on private care use, with no services within walking distance.

But planning officers at Stafford Borough Council recommended the application for approval, saying it complies with policy. They noted that Butt Lane has little vehicular traffic at the moment, with low average speeds and the lodges not expected to generate many additional vehicle movements.

Members of the planning committee were divided on the issue but eventually voted narrowly in favour of approving the application. Six of the proposed lodges will be ‘relatively low-level structures’ with timberclad walls, while a seventh, lakeside lodge will be a larger building.

The development will include improvements to the existing access off Butt Lane, with 15 parking spaces being provided for users of the fishery and lodges.

Objector Victoria Walker told the committee that the scheme would bring ‘zero economic benefit’ to the area, while putting strain on local infrastructure. She said: “All routes to the site are narrow, often single-track rural lanes with few passing places, soft verges, blind bends and limited visibility. These roads already struggle with existing traffic.

“They are used daily by walkers, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders and children from the nearby residential care facility. Introducing holidaymaker traffic significantly raises the risk of collisions. As residents we can say that there is no safe way to increase traffic.”

But Michael Kitching, director at SK Transport Planning, who spoke in support the application, argued that the ‘modest’ proposal complied with planning policy.

He said: “The scheme will deliver an upgraded vehicular access from Butt Lane, which currently provides access to the fishery. The access design, including visibility splays, has been agreed with officers. It’s also agreed that Butt Lane is a lightly trafficked route, with an average of just 82 vehicle movements each day. The committee report confirms that over the last five years the route has no record of personal injury collisions and the lodges are predicted to generate just 40 additional daily vehicle movements.”

Some committee members shared the concerns over increased conflict between cars and other road users on Butt Lane. But others said visitors to the lodges would be more likely to drive carefully due to being in an unfamiliar area.

The committee was divided evenly, but chair Tony Nixon used his casting vote in favour of approval. Committee members also agreed to add an extra condition requiring the lodges to provide welcome packs to visitors with local highway safety information.