Up to 9 homes at Grove Manor, Church Lawton, Stoke-on-Trent

What was proposed

The application sought permission in principle to redevelop the site by building up to nine dwellings.

“This application seeks permission in principle to redevelop the site by the erection of up to 9 dwellings.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a plant nursery in the Green Belt, near housing, a public house, a paddock and settlement boundaries.

“This application relates to a plot of land occupied by a plant nursery, with a public house and car park to the north, housing to the north-east, housing to the south and a paddock to the west.”

“The site is designated as being within Green Belt in the adopted local plan.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the site grey belt, sustainably located and suitable for housing, with benefits that outweighed adverse impacts.

“Having regard to the above, the application proposals are considered to meet the key tests as to whether a site represents Grey Belt in that the site is not considered to ‘strongly’ contribute to either purposes a, b or d, and the areas and assets in footnote 7 do not provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting development.”

“Taking all the above matters into account, and given the limited scale of the application site, it is considered that the proposals would utilise grey belt land and would not fundamentally undermine the purposes (taken together) of the remaining Green Belt across the area of the plan.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Flood risk, highways and environmental protection officers did not object, while the parish council objected on several grounds.

“Church Lawton Parish Council: Object on the grounds of inappropriate development in the Green Belt, loss of openness, unsafe access, insufficient room for 9 houses with adequate parking, possible land contamination and loss of employment land.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Ten representations raised concerns including infrastructure, highway safety, parking, privacy, Green Belt development, contamination and insufficient information.

“At the time of report writing, 10 representations have been received. The express the following concerns:”

“Lack of local infrastructure • Highways safety, parking and access • Loss of light and privacy • Inappropriate development in the green belt • Possible land contamination • Insufficient information submitted • Impact on property values…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor and Church Lawton Parish Council representative attended and spoke about the application.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to approve the application.

“That application 25/3975/PIP be APPROVED.”

Minutes