Objections to plans for six buildings and parking extension at hotel

A PARISH council is to object to four planning applications submitted by Whiston Hall hotel and golf course.

At the last meeting of Kingsley Parish Council, members voted to object to the plans submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The planning applications involved outline permission for the erection of six new dwellings; a new car park extension and a new agricultural storage shed.

The fourth plan, at Whiston Fisheries, Blakeley Lane, involved a Certificate of Lawfulness for two standard caravans on the site.

The fisherie is a seasonal business and accommodation would be used for no more than 28 days per year and the applicant has fixed address at Whiston Hall.

Councillor David Fowler, said: “It is down as Whiston Fisheries but it is not. People have been living there for 10 months.

“A septic tank has been put in. We should look at enforcement as this has got to be sorted out.

“There have been complaints from people regarding the housing application. It is on a narrow road and goes over a footpath.

“With regard to the car park extension there is no mention of footpath 51 which goes straight over it.”

Councillor John Steele said that the plans should be looked at a by a senior planner.

He said: “It is time for one person to go over these collectively.

“There needs to be a firm approach.

“The caravans are permanently occupied and there is drainage with no permission, it is inappropriate development.

“With the proposed housing development it is not in the Local Plan so it is against policy.

“There is also no need for additional parking.

“The plan for the agricultural shed it is misleading as this is not an agricultural business. There are also questions about ownership.”

Councillor James Aberley said that the planning applications should all go before the Moorlands council’s planning applications committee. He said: “One case officer should be assigned to Whiston Golf Club.

“We should put all our comments in and with the housing plan Whiston has a lack of facilities and the plan is not sustainable.”

Whiston ward councillor Elsie Fallows said: “With regard to the fisheries plan, people have spoken to me about it and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have got to tell them to put it back to how it was.

“They should clamp down more. With the car parking plan Black Lane can’t stand any more traffic.”

Councillor Martyn Hordern said highways had recommended the plan was refused and that there were contamination concerns.

He said: “The golf course has been reduced from 18 to nine holes, but car parking spaces wants to be trebled?”

The question of ownership of the land in question has also been raised.

One objector, Louise Cliff, said she has been the ‘registered proprietor’ of the land since 1999.

She added: “At no time have I received any notice of this application and there is a clear mis-declaration at Section 16 of the application form.”

Ms Cliff has also made the same public comments for the remaining plans.