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. Members of the public were not permitted to enter the Chamber or speak to members of the committee unless invited.

b)    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.

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2024, be approved as a correct record.

There were none.

i. Disclosable Pecuniary Interests;

ii. Other Interests;

iii. Lobbying Interests.

RESOLVED:

That the Late Representations report be noted.

Outline application for erection of a self-build single dwelling including details of means of access.

(Report recommended refusal)

Received representation from the undermentioned speakers:

For the application:

Alan Mountford – Supporter

Mark Bullock – Applicant

Jim Malkin – Agent

The Officer provided an explanation of the new concept of ‘grey belt’ land and concluded that the land should not be considered ‘grey belt’ due to the strength of its contribution to at least one of the purposes (a), (b), or (d) in paragraph 143 of the NPPF namely, to preserve the setting and special character of the historic town of Cheadle.

Members and Officers sympathised with the applicant’s personal circumstances and need for an accessible bungalow. However, these circumstances were not a material planning consideration and could not be taken into account when determining the application.

Reference was made to the aging population of the Moorlands, adaptable properties and the shortage of bungalows.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Late Representations Report be noted;

2.     That the application be REFUSED 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 thar the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

(Proposed by Councillor Roberts and seconded by Councillor Hoptroff)

Change of use from holiday let to 1 No. 1 bedroom dwelling.

(Report recommended refusal)

(Having declared an interest Councillor Wilkinson withdrew from the meeting during the consideration of and voting on the application)

Received representations from the undermentioned speakers:

For the application:

Councillor Sandra Peck – Local resident and behalf of Checkley Parish Council.

Councillor Linda Malyon – Supporter

Tom Wilkinson – Supporter

In response to a query in relation to the National Described Space Standards, the Officer confirmed that the policy was referred to in the adopted Local Plan and the standards were an important material consideration in determining planning applications to ensure both existing and future occupants had a good standard of amenity.

Discussion took place around reduced occupancy rates, poor visitor experience and the potential for the property to deteriorate.  Some members were of the opinion that the property would be suitable for a starter home, whereas others agreed that the plans for a one bedroom property still did not meet the required national standards.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Late Representations report be noted:

2.     That contrary to officers’ recommendation the application be APPROVED for the following reason:

-        The Committee considered that the property was no longer commercially viable as tourist accommodation and despite the failure to comply with the National Described Space Standard and Space About Dwellings SPD, the standard of internal and external amenity was acceptable as a single bedroom property for permanent residential accommodation.

3.     Delegate authority to the Head of Development Services and Vice-Chair of the Committee to agree conditions;

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 thar the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Committee’s decision.

(Proposed by Councillor Parkes and seconded by Councillor Flunder).

The Chair to move:-

 “That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:

That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.

Consideration was given to a report on the performance of planning appeals.

Members considered a report to confirm the approach to be taken by the Council for a forthcoming public inquiry.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes from the meeting held 12 December 2024, be approved as a correct record.