Agenda and minutes

a)    Webcasting;

b)    Introductions of Members and Officers;

c)    Other announcements.

The Chair announced the following:

a)    The meeting was being broadcast live to the internet via the usual webcasting facility and was capable of repeated viewing. The images and sound recording could be used for training purposes within the Council. The Chair had the discretion to terminate or suspend filming if it was his opinion that continuing to do so would prejudice the proceedings of the meeting. Any views expressed by any speaker in the meeting were the speaker’s own and did not necessarily reflect the views of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

b)    Members of the Committee and Officers present were introduced by the Chair.

c)     Members had made site visits during the morning of the meeting.

i. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests;

ii. Other Interests;

iii. Lobbying Interests.

RESOLVED:  That the Late Representations report be noted.

There were none.

Reserved matters application proposing details for the appearance, scale, layout and landscaping for phase 1 of the leisure development comprising 190 lodges; erection of a new central hub building (providing farm shop, gym, swimming pool, spa, restaurant, cafe, games room, visitor centre, hub management and plant areas) reuse and external alterations to the existing office building to provide housekeeping and maintenance accommodation (including meeting rooms, offices, storage, staff areas and workshop); children's play areas; multi use games area; quarry park; car parking; refuse and lighting arrangements; and managed footpaths, cycleways and bridleways set in attractive hard and soft landscaping.  

(Report recommended approval subject to conditions)

Received representation from the undermentioned speakers:

Against the application:

Councillor Mike Worthington – County Councillor

Mr David Walters – On behalf of the Churnet Valley Conservation Society

Councillor Linda Malyon – Ward Councillor (on behalf of Councillor Fallows)

Cllr Tony Loynes – On behalf of Oakamoor Parish Council

Cllr James Aberley – Ward Councillor

Cllr John Steele – On behalf of Kingsley Parish Council

For the application:

Jon Suckley – Asteer Planning

Adam Gombocz – Lithos

Liz McFadyean – Asteer Planning

Members discussed the style, appearance, energy supply and occupation of the lodges/caravans. Some members expressed concern around the safety and stability of the lodges overhanging the water.

During the debate, there was also discussion around the road access to the site, the Travel Plan, biodiversity net gain, the Habitat Management Plan, monitoring, foul and surface water and the Council’s Tourism Strategy.

Officers advised that a number of conditions was standard for a major planning application, should the application be approved, these would be monitored and matters dealt with should they arise.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Late Letters report be NOTED;

2.     That contrary to officers’ recommendation, the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

This site lies within the Chunet Valley which is an area of significant landscape, wildlife and heritage value. Policy SS11 sets out the strategy for the Churnet Valley. It says that all development should be of a scale and nature and of a high standard of design which conserves and enhances the heritage, landscape and biodiversity of the area. The consideration of landscape character it says will be paramount in all proposals in order to protect and conserve locally distinctive qualities and sense of place and to maximise opportunities for restoring, strengthening and enhancing distinctive landscape features 

It is considered that the proposed lodges, which are little more than caravans with cladding, fail to deliver  the required high standard of design. Owing to the proposed materials and lack of any green roofs, lack of creativity and detailing the lodges could not be said to be of an appropriate high quality nor do they add value to the local area. They have not been designed to respect this sensitive site or its surroundings, noting that it is in part adjacent to the Whiston Eaves SSSI

For these reasons the proposal fails to comply with Polices SS1, SS11, DC1 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Retention of former laboratory building and change of use to a sports hall with climbing wall, soft play area, two-lane mini bowl, cinema room; craft room and craft store, bike store and maintenance and bike hire office, cafe, viewing area, WCs, management office and plant rooms associated with Moneystone Park external alterations and reconfiguration of existing car park to provide 24no. car parking spaces.

(Report recommended approval subject to conditions)

Against the application:

Mr David Walters – On behalf of the Churnet Valley Conservation Society

Mr David Williams – Local Resident

Councillor Linda Malyon – Ward Councillor (on behalf of Councillor Fallows)

Cllr John Steele – On behalf of Kingsley Parish Council

For the application:

Jon Suckley – Asteer Planning

Some members commented positively in terms of the re-purposing of an existing building on the site, discussed carbon off-setting and encouragement of businesses to the area.

The Committee was advised that should permission be granted, this would override the current enforcement notice in place.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the Late Representations report be noted;

2.       That the application be APPROVED for the reasons and based on the policies contained within the report;

3.       That the following conditions be added:

a.       An outdoor low level lighting scheme to incorporated into the scheme.

b.       For showers to be installed in the building

4. That in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval / refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Development Services be delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision

(Proposed by Councillor Hoptroff and seconded by Councillor Johnson)

Proposed construction of a revised surface water outfall associated with Moneystone Park leisure development and engineering operations to infill the existing outfall structure.

(Report recommended approval subject to conditions)

Received representation from the undermentioned speakers:

Against the application:

Mr David Walters – On behalf of the Churnet Valley Conservation Society

Mr Peter Cowie – Local Resident

Councillor Linda Malyon – Ward Councillor (on behalf of Councillor Fallows)

Cllr John Steele – On behalf of Kingsley Parish Council

For the application:

Jon Suckley – Asteer Planning

Adam Gombocz – Lithos

Liz McFadyean – Asteer Planning

Consideration was given to the potential impact and benefit of the works on the Whiston Eaves SSSI. Officer advice that Condition 13 secured a scheme for the maintenance and operation of the outfall in the interest of flood prevention, water quality and habitats

RESOLVED:

1.       That the Late Representations report be noted;

2.       That the application be APPROVED for the reasons and based on the policies contained within the report;

3.       That in the event of any changes being needed to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions / informatives / planning obligations or reasons for approval / refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Head of Development Services be delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision

(Proposed by Councillor Hoptroff and seconded by Councillor Johnson)