Agenda and draft minutes

In accordance with the Staffordshire County Council’s Planning Committee Members’ Guidance Protocol, Councillor Pritchard declared an interest in item 5a as a Cabinet Support Member and indicated that he would leave the room during the debate.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Resolved – That Councillor Trowbridge be appointed to the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel in place of Councillor Hudson.

Provision of stand-alone building to provide an Alternative Centre for Learning

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the proposed application by The Cabinet for the provision of a stand-alone building to provide an alternative centre for learning for Littleton Green Community School, Huntington, Cannock, WS12 4UD.

The Committee were advised that Sport England had objected to the application and so in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2021, the application should be referred to the Secretary of State via the Planning Casework Unit where the Committee minded to approve the application.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received a representation from the Head Teacher of Littleton Green Community School, Lynn Thorneycroft in support of the application.

Note by clerk: Councillor Pritchard heard the presentation and left the room before any debate.

The Committee were advised that the County Council would fund the proposed development.

The Committee discussed the proximity of the development to the nearest GP surgery and were advised that that concerns about construction traffic could be addressed by the Construction Environmental Management Plan condition.

Following a vote it was:

Resolved – To consult the Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities c/o the Planning Casework Unit to advise that having regard to the matters refer to in the report, the County Council was minded to permit the proposed development under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended), subject to the planning conditions referred to in the report.

Note by Clerk: Councillor Pritchard returned to the room.

Application for the Periodic Review (under the Environment Act 1995) of the Scheme of Conditions ref. SM.EA/4

The Committee received a presentation by the Case Officer on the submission requesting the approval of the Proposed Scheme of Conditions, as modified by the County Council, for the land at Hurst Quarry, Biddulph, Staffordshire, ST8 7RU.

In accordance with the County Council’s scheme for public speaking at meetings, the Committee received representation from Mark Smedley supporting the application.

The Committee sought assurances regarding the end date for the quarry (2036). The Committee were advised that if the quarry finished sooner the conditions require the final restoration and aftercare to commence.

Following a vote it was:

Resolved – To approve the Proposed Scheme of Conditions, as modified by the County Council, and set out in full in Appendix 2 of the report.

The Committee received a report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills on the Planning, Policy and Development Control team Half Year report for 2023-2024.

The Committee were presented with details of the activities of the Planning Policy and Development Control team related to policy-making, development control performance against national and local targets and the staffing situation within the team.

The Committee expressed their thanks to the Planning, Policy and Development team.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

The Chairman to move:

“That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below”.

Part Two

(All reports in this section are exempt)

Nil.

Resolved - That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below.