‘Over development’ concerns led to council objection
PARISH councillors have objected to plans to build four bungalows on a former youth club site.
At last week’s monthly meeting of Kingsley Parish Council, members agreed to write to planners at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council recommending that a planning application for the bungalows at Kingsley Youth Club, Holt Lane, should be refused.
A planning application was submitted in January 2018 to convert the redundant clubhouse into a single large family fivebedroom dwelling. However this was later withdrawn.
Councillor Martyn Hordern said: “All opinion is that something needs to be done. There are however concerns this is squeezing too much into the site.
“It could be over development and there are concerns over highway safety. It has gone from one dwelling on the site to four.
“I could support something on the site but not four bungalows.”
Councillor John Steele said the plan could lead to more planning applications coming forward.
He said: “Why are they squeezing four bungalows into a little bit. There could be future development in the next application.”
Councillor David Fowler said the plan was not right.
He said: “I think some devious working is going on. It is not right and it is outside the village boundary.”
Councillor Malcolm Sales said that being outside the village boundary was a planning issue.
He said: “We have been through this scenario before. The ground has never been looked at for development. I will not support it.”
Councillor Julie Bull said: “Over development might be an issue, but the highways will not back it as there was a youth club there before and cars went in there.”
Councillor and chairman of the parish council, said that two of the proposed bungalows near Holt Lane were so tight that it would be difficult to get out of a car.
He said: “You would have to park next to the wall to get out. The parking is very tight. I feel that there are too many properties on the site.
“Visibility could also be impaired and it is outside the village boundary. It is also an area not looked at previously for development.”
Councillors agreed to recommend the planning application be refused on the grounds that the proposal is outside the village boundary; four bungalows is over development of the site; concerns over visibility exiting the site and that the area had never been looked at for development.