‘I don’t think the agent listened to what we wanted’
PLANS to build eight new detached houses on the site of the former Endon Riding School have been refused.
Members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s planning application committee unanimously voted to refuse the application due to what was described as an urban design in the countryside.
The council’s operational manager, Ben Haywood, said the site already had outline permission for development
He said: “This application is for the design and layout of the scheme. It is a cul-de-sac arrangement with a single point of access.
“There are concerns that the proposals are out of keeping in the rural district. It is very suburban.
“We are recommending that the application should be refused.”
Speaking to the planning committee, nearby resident, Marion Armstrong, said that there were a number of points to consider.
She said: “The gully in the road is to be made redundant, which is vital. There is a problem with flooding and the verges are washed away. During torrential rain water floods down the road like a river.
“I would also like you to consider the removal of the tree which has doubled in size in the last five years in the boundary of our driveway.
“The heights of the new buildings are a concern, they could be smaller on the road side. Road safety is paramount, five bedroom houses will bring in more cars.”
Councillor Paul Roberts said: “I don’t think the agent has listened to what type of design we wanted. We did recommend that they looked at a site in Caverswall. This shows how a small site should be designed.”
Councillor Gail Lockett said that they wanted to see the scheme come to fruition.
She said: “The design is out of character. They need to go back and look at Caverswall as this would fit in the area. What they have come up with will not look right.”
Councillor Mike Gledhill said that an experienced developer should be able to come up with something better
“He said: “This is like giving up on a project on a Friday afternoon.”
Councillor Jim Davies said that the site had potential.
He said: “They have omitted some houses, but we do need a better design. This is too urban and you would find it in a town not in the countryside.”
Councillor Christina Jebb said the development would stick out like a sore thumb
She said: “I am very disappointed it still has an urban feel and does not respect the countryside.”
The applicant’s agent, David Tatton said they had looked at the Caverswall site, but it was not suitable for this site.
He said: “This is a cul-de-sac with one way in and one way out. It can’t be any different
“There are five different housing schemes, there are lots of detached houses in the area. We are trying to develop on a country lane and up to 10 houses were approved by the inspector on an appeal.”
All 12 councillors on the planning committee voted to refuse the application.