Flood worries over development at old dairy

A FORMER Staffordshire Moorlands dairy is set to be redeveloped with the construction of 56 new homes.

An outline planning application for residential development, means of access, ancillary works and site remediation for CB Collier FD Ltd, at Fole Dairy, Uttoxeter Road, Fole, was approved last week by members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s planning applications committee.

A report by planning officer, Jane Curley, said: “Until recently many of the buildings associated with the former use of the site as a dairy remained on site.

“However earlier this year the council granted prior approval for the demolition of the majority of the buildings.

“An illustrative plan provided shows a development of 56 units, with a mix of two, three and four bedroomed houses.

“A viability assessment accompanied the application which concluded that the development could not support the provision of any affordable housing nor any developer contributions.”

One letter of objection received stated there were too many houses for the small hamlet and that a drainage report refers to flood waters being directed to road and landscaped areas in extreme storm events.

The objector also stated that plots 33–37 should be set further back and footpaths from these properties to the A522 may encourage on road parking. A barrier should be provided between these gardens and the main road. Without this residents might be tempted to park on the main road.

The plan was supported by Checkley Parish Council and the highways authority had no objections subject to conditions.

Speaking to the planning committee, Councillor for the area Keith Flunder, said: “We have been fighting to get this housing through. It is not a pleasant site to see as you enter the Staffordshire Moorlands.

“The flooding risk needs to be looked at but this is a man made issue.”

Planning committee member, Jim Davies, said the development needed a community facility.

He said: “Accessibility without a car is impossible. It needs a community facility, not just an estate in the countryside. This is a new hamlet in the countryside.”

Councillor Ivor Lucas said: “There is flooding of the River Tean. One problem could be when the A50 is blocked and you have to think of traffic issues.

“I hope the developers make a good job of it, as it is a historical site.”

Councillor Stephen Ellis said it was rare to get so many people in support of a plan.

He said: “We have looked at this many times. It is an outline application. There are concerns over the layout, but work can be done to alleviate this.”

Councillors voted eight in favour of approval with two abstentions.