Biddulph Moor residents have once again successfully fought off plans to build homes in the green belt.
Applicant Karen Pitcher requested permission in principle for the development on land off Farmside Lane, on the edge of the village.
Eighty-two objections from the public were uploaded to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s planning portal with concerns ranging from the loss of green belt land and the impact on local infrastructure.
But the application was thrown out by the council’s Planning Committee, just weeks after it refused an application, again for permission in principle, for up to nine homes on land between Rudyard Road and Hot Lane.
In both cases, the applicants’ argument that the sites were in the grey belt fell flat.
Councillors voted to refuse the application, to develop land off Farmside Lane, in line with their officers’ recommendation.
Officers agreed with the applicant that the land could be classed as grey belt because it did not make a strong contribution to the purposes of the green belt.
But they still recommended refusal, saying the amount of development proposed would cause “significant harm” to the rural setting.
Biddulph Moor resident Anne Gadsden, who was among the objectors, told the committee that she believed the development would be contrary to the “fundamental purpose of the green belt”.
She said: “The proposal would introduce buildings onto undeveloped land, extend development beyond the established settlement boundary and result in encroachment into the countryside.”¬
An objection uploaded to the council’s planning portal by Deborah Aisbitt, on behalf of her mother Margaret Carr who has lived on Farmside Lane for 43 years, said: “Our objection stems from the increased traffic, disruption to local wildlife and already hazardous pavement parking. The two roads up to Biddulph Moor cannot cope with the current number of cars.
If passed this will set a precedent for future over-development of a tiny village not designed to sustain further residential dwellings.”
Mrs R Stoker, also of Farmhouse Lane, objected saying it would alter the character of the area: “This is on the edge of the village where it opens onto fields and a vast view to Lask Edge. The effects on immediate neighbours are obvious but also increased population will put pressure on a small village with a very distant character and limited services. Also, it will set a precedent for more development, totally changing the area over time.”¬
Catherine Yardley, of Stoney Lane, Biddulph Moor, said: “I object to the use of green belt land for non-essential housing. This land is at the leading edge of the valuable farm belt that surrounds Biddulph Moor and should not be used for building. The land is a valuable habitat for a large variety of wildlife whose natural environment should be protected.” ¬
The applicant argued that the construction of seven dormer bungalows on land of “limited benefit in terms of its designation as green belt” would help address the current housing land supply shortfall in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
But committee members agreed with the objectors that the proposed scheme was unacceptable.
Coun Paul Roberts (Caverswall) said: “It’s not in-fill. Everything about it is wrong.”¬
Coun Mark Johnson (Leek North) said: “I think this shows that despite the advent of grey belt – and we can’t just wish it away – there’s a suite of policies that make sure that even grey belt land isn’t a free-fire zone.”¬
In respect of the refused application for up to nine homes in a field between Rudyard Road and Hot Lane in Biddulph Moor, planning officers agreed with the applicants’ assertion that the land met the definition of the grey belt, saying it did not make a strong contribution to the green belt. But a majority of Planning Committee members voted to refuse permission, saying they did not accept the grey belt argument.
Additional reporting by Phil Corrigan of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
