ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL – PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES – May 17^th 2023

A meeting of Eccleshall Parish Council Planning Committee was held on May 17^th 2023, at Eccleshall Community Centre at 8.40pm following the Annual Parish Council meeting.

96/23).   Present were: –

Councillor B. Delanchy (Chairman)         Councillor P. Jones

Councillor D. Hill                                   Councillor C. Wilkins

Councillor C. Ryan-Bloor                        Councillor R. Taylor

Councillor S. Perren                                Councillor A. Reid

Councillor D. Hall                                   Councillor R. Langford

Councillor G. Dale                                 Councillor L. Dale

Mrs Stacey Worden (Clerk)

Sixteen members of the public (until 9.20pm)

97/23).   To elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman:

Councillor Delanchy took the Chair and requested nominations for Chairman of the Planning

Committee. Councillor Delanchy was re-elected for the ensuing year.

Councillor Delanchy requested nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee and Councillor Stuart Perren was nominated and duly elected.

98/23).   Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillors Mifflin and Kean.

99/23).   Public Participation

Member of the public spoke in strong opposition to application 22/36101/FUL, specifically in relation to the proposal to build 16 additional dwellings in order to support the rebuilding of the derelict mill and maltings.

100/23).  To approve the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 19^th April 2023:

The minutes, which had been previously circulated, were agreed and signed.

101/23).   Planning Decisions of Stafford Borough Council:

23/37135/HOU- Erection of porch extension and alterations to existing fenestration to dwelling. The Old Stables Wincote Lane Wootton. Approved.

23/37095/TWT – TPO 603 2016: Lime (T8) – Crown reduction of 1/3, crown thin between 20% – 30% and crown lift 2m. 24 Overton Close Eccleshall. Split Decision.

22/36075/FUL – Proposed conversion of existing outbuilding storage space into home office accommodation, ancillary to the Wetwood Manor, including kitchen space and first floor bedroom and en-suite. In conjunction with 22/36076/LBC. Wetwood Manor Fair Oak Road Wetwood. Approved.

21/34859/FUL – Change of use from building used for farming to dwelling. Little Blore Farm Langot Lane Fair Oak.  Refused.

23/37212/TCA – Eccleshall Conservation Area: Poplar (T1) – Dismantle down to approx. 10′ pole. Weeping Ash (T2) – Pollard. Eccleshall Castle Castle Street. Approved.

23/37123/TWT – TPO 142 1985: Willow, Birch, Oak & Lime – Remove. 8 Campion Close Eccleshall. Split Decision.

20/33399/COU – The Proposed field is currently being used for agricultural purposes (Grazing land). We are applying for change of use to a secure dog walking field with small car parking to accommodate 2 cars. Land Adjacent Highlanes Brockton Road Eccleshall. Refused.

23/37124/HOU – Proposed single storey extension to garage. Brockton View Slindon Road Slindon. Refused.

102/23)   Planning Applications for consideration:-

Cllrs Jones and Reid abstained from voting on planning applications to avoid any conflict of interests due to their duties within Stafford Borough Council.

22/36101/FUL– Repair, rebuilding & conversion of derelict mill & maltings buildings to 2 dwellings; proposed enabling residential development on seven sites for a total of 16 dwellings (18 dwellings overall); erection of new 3-bay garage; demolition of former piggery building (In conjunction with 22/36102/LBC). River Sow Mills Doley Road Eccleshall.

The proposal was discussed in great detail – it was noted that part of the proposal to convert an existing building within the footprint of the original building was not unreasonable, but the resulting dwellings will be two new houses with negligible retention of existing features.

It was resolved to strongly object to this application, with reasons to include:

• The proposal does not fall into any settlement boundary which has been identified within the existing or upcoming new draft Local Plan or Eccleshall Neighbourhood Plan and nothing indicates that the development plan should not be followed
• As such, they are new dwellings in the countryside and contrary to Policy C4 of the Plan for Stafford Borough
• The proposal is not a sustainable site in terms of transport options and other required infrastructure
• The insistence that this has a valuable heritage significance is disputed and the conversion of the buildings will not give any indication of the previous use, they will just be modern conversions.
• The adverse impact of the developments would greatly outweigh the benefits.
• The impact to the rural road network for multiple developments would be too great to sustain.
• Walk Mill is a conservation area and within the SSSI consultation zone of Cop Mere.

(the members of the public left the meeting at this point).

23/37197/HOU – New roof to existing single storey rear extension, Replacement sun room to front elevation & new outbuilding. Meaford House Slindon Road Slindon.

It was resolved to object to this application due to the excessive scale and mass of the proposed outbuilding.

103/23).  To consider any further applications:-

There were no further applications to consider.

104/23).  Any Other Planning Matters: –

• Stafford Borough Council has advised there has been no response from Vistry (Bovis) with regards to the outstanding works to the Sancerre Grange development. They have now advised that unless a response is received by a set deadline, enforcement action will be taken.

105/23).  Correspondence:-

No correspondence has been received.

106/23).  Date and venue for next meeting:

Wednesday June 7^th  Eccleshall Community Centre, 7.30pm

There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.30pm.