Country park with lodges at Colliery Road, Brereton

What was proposed

The application proposed a 28-hectare outdoor country park, visitor centre, car parks and 100 wooden holiday lodges.

“Proposal 2.1 The applicant is seeking consent for the proposed use of a former colliery for an outdoor recreational country park, the erection of an ancillary visitor centre, visitor car park and the siting of holiday lodge caravans.”

“841843223570100A holiday lodge park further into the site comprising 100 wooden holiday lodges within new woodland planting with small ponds (SUDS). The submitted design and access statement states that ‘the exact style and type of each lodge sited on each pitch will depend on future demand, the manufacturer chosen and customer preference. However, the proposed holiday lodges will all be high specification twin-unit caravans’. Below is an indicative appearance of the lodges.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is former colliery land within the Green Belt and Cannock Chase National Landscape, with woodland, grassland, water features and public rights of way.

“Site and Surroundings 1.1 The site itself is approximately 28ha and consists of a mix of grassland together with some areas of recent natural regenerating woodland growth to the south, bordered by more established mature and unmanaged woodland/dense grassland with well-established trees. There is a fenced off area towards the southwest of the site along with an old machine shed. A brook runs down and forms the eastern boundary of the site.”

“A dwelling lies adjacent to the eastern site boundary also fronting Colliery Road. Further dwellings are located on the opposite side of Colliery Road. The site is entirely within the Green Belt and is within Flood Zone 1. Small portions of the site are within Coal Authority High Risk Areas, with the majority of the site being within a Low-Risk Area. The site is also within a Mineral Safeguarding Zone.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions covered colliery spoil restoration, mineral processing, restoration and aftercare details.

“Concerns raised in respect of the ecological impact of the scheme, and if the site comprises any endangered or protected species. Relevant Planning History CH/97/0631 Restoration of spoil tip. Approved 23/03/1998. CH/98/0475 Variation of condition 3 attached to planning permission CH.97/631 to allow stationing and use of one mobile screening machine and one mobile crushing machine. Approved 18/01/1999. CH/97/0631 Aftercare scheme. Approved 24/03/2000.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers found substantial Green Belt harm that was not outweighed by the proposal’s limited economic and other benefits.

“For clarity, at the time of writing, the Council has not received this document, only it’s appendices. The submitted information supersedes the relevant existing documents, and the Council undertook a full re-consultation of neighbours and statutory and non-statutory consultees. The following report sets out a comprehensive discussion, including the additional information received as part of the most recent consultation.”

“The scale of the proposal together with the siting and design of the proposed buildings would fail to preserve the openness of the Green Belt and would, by reason of encroachment, conflict with the purposes of including land within it and hence constitutes inappropriate development. As such the proposal is harmful to the Green Belt and, in accordance with paragraph 153 of the NPPF, substantial weight should be afforded to that harm.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways and several other consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while flood, ecology, planning policy and other bodies raised objections or concerns.

“Reason for Refusal of Planning Permission In accordance with paragraph (38) of the National Planning Policy Framework the Local Planning Authority has worked with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner to approve the proposed development. However, in this instance the proposal fails to accord with the Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.”

“Friends of Cannock Chase - Objection, due to highway safety concerns, pedestrian safety risks, proximity to ancient woodland, pressure on the AONB and that there is already sufficient accommodation provided for visitors to the Chase. The Ramblers Association - No objection. Chase Rider Buses Limited - No objection. Environment Agency - No objection, subject to conditions. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Services - No objection, general advice provided.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent spoke in support of the application.

Committee consideration

Members received a presentation and an update confirming that the additional planning statement did not change the officers’ recommendation.

“CH/22/0044, Brereton Former Closed Colliery, Land on southeast side of Colliery Road, Brereton, WS15 1QS- Application for a change of use of land for an outdoor recreational country park, the erection of an ancillary visitor centre, visitor car park, and the sitingof holiday lodge caravans The Chair explained that following a discussion with Planning Officers it had been agreed that the site visit would not been undertaken.”

“She then provided the following update which had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting:- “Following compilation of the report for the Committee agenda, the Council received a copy of the applicant’s updated Planning Statement which was originally referenced in August 2025.The Planning Policy Officer has reviewed the statement and has provided the following comments: We note the additional Planning Statement (August 2025) that has been submitted to accompany the…”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to refuse the application for the reasons outlined in the report.

“Planning Control Committee 17/12/2025 Resolved: That the application be refused for the reasons outlined in the report. The meeting closed at 4.05pm. Chair…”

Minutes