Bungalow plans approved for Stafford village pub car park
A bungalow can be built on a rural pub car park – despite concerns the land falls outside a village settlement boundary.
Stafford Borough Council granted permission for the Shropshire Inn in Haughton to be demolished to make way for two bungalows in 2024 – and on Wednesday (January 28) the planning committee approved redevelopment of the car park at the back of the Newport Road venue.
The latest application was called in by ward councillor Emma Carter for consideration by the planning committee because of the car park’s location outside Haughton’s settlement boundary. The application was recommended for approval by planning officers ahead of the meeting however – and nine committee members voted in favour.
Haughton Parish Council clerk Jon Brumwell told Wednesday’s meeting: “The parish council is concerned this will establish a precedent for development outside the settlement boundary. The parish council originally raised this concern when the first application was submitted as part of the application – a double garage – was partially outside the development boundary for the village.
“The parish council accepts there will be windfall sites arising from time to time and a Tarmaced car park would represent such a windfall site. In that respect, the parish council doesn’t necessarily object per se to the third bungalow, but are very concerned about establishment of a precedent.”
Councillor Scott Spencer, who represents the nearby Gnosall and Woodseaves ward, said he shared the concerns of the parish council the development could open the way for further development to the south of the village.
Councillor Andy McNaughton spoke of the need to utilise brownfield (previously developed) sites however
Committee member Councillor Ann Edgeller said it was “such a shame” to see the site in its current state. “I have no objection to this being developed – I think it needs it”, she added.
