Cannock Chase Council grants retrospective approval for its own play area
Cannock Chase councillors have granted planning permission for new play equipment at a town park – after the facilities were installed and opened.
Cannock Park’s new play area is already an award-winner, after being given Gold Accreditation under the Plan Inclusive Play Areas (PiPA) scheme, recognising its inclusive and accessible facilities for children of all abilities.
But retrospective planning permission was not granted until Wednesday (February 4), when members of Cannock Chase Council’s planning committee considered an application submitted by another department at the authority. They voted unanimously to approve it.
Councillor Darrell Mawle said: “I know retrospective applications are allowed, but councillors don’t like it. Why is this council bringing this now when it has been built?”
Fellow committee member Sam Thompson said: “I feel it is a little embarrassing we have a department asking for retrospective planning permission.”
Other committee members praised the park improvements. Councillor Garry Samuels, the authority’s Parks, Culture and Heritage Portfolio Leader, said: “The end result is fantastic.”
Councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald said: “I went to the opening and it was a lovely celebration. Well done to the team.”
Councillor Sue Thornley said: “I would like to thank the Friends of Cannock Park for the work they have put in to achieve it. The park does look fantastic.”
Two other applications put forward by the council for open spaces in the district were also approved at Wednesday’s meeting. Permission was granted install two eight metre tall flag poles at Heath Hayes Park in Wimblebury Road, to display a Union Flag and a Green Flag or other celebratory flag.
And work is set to take place to improve the accessibility of an existing footpath at Hagley Field in Rugeley. A report to the committee said: “A 2m wide Tarmac footpath is proposed to replace the existing earth and stone path.
“The Tarmac path will sit above the existing ground level in response to the regular flooding of the site. These works are identified as Phase 1 of improvement works; Phases 2 and 3 will involve resurfacing the existing vehicular access extending from the leisure centre car park into the field and connecting with the existing Tarmac pad.”
