‘We need a lawyer’
• 150,000 tonnes of waste could be transported every day for two years • ‘Outrageous’ plan would see 25 HGV loads a day through Moorlands • Parish council to seek cost of legal advice to fight planning application
PARISH councillors are to consider legal advice to fight a planning application that would see 150,000 tonnes of waste material transported through the Staffordshire Moorlands every working day for two years.
A planning application has been submitted to Staffordshire County Council by Whiston Golf Club for the remodelling of the existing golf course to improve on-site water management, accessibility and player safety.
The improvements will be made by importing engineering materials to regrade and reprofile part of the existing golf course, the construction of new irrigation ponds, the installation of a pump house and landscaping and tree planting at the golf club at Black Lane, Whiston.
The application says the work being carried out will ‘create an improved golf course destination,’ increasing visitor numbers and creating local jobs.
However, at last week’s meeting of Kingsley Parish Council, the application was described as a ‘heavily disguised waste management operation,’ with fears that the materials could be hazardous and polluted.
Chairman of the council Ken Unwin said: “There would be 150,000 tonnes of waste with more than 6,600 loads.
“This would involve 25 HGV loads a day for two years. It is also only stating to remodel a third of the course.
“An unknown business could make a lot of money by accepting a lot of waste.
“This is not an attractive planning application.
“This should be remodelling but it only affects a third of the course. If it was genuine all the course would be done.”
Councillor Sean Flynn said that the council should invest in professional advice.
He said: “This is a well funded complex proposal which has cost a lot of money.
“We need to invest with professional advice or they will dance around planning officers.”
Councillor Alison Pooler said that a lawyer was required and added: “This is a big company bringing in waste. “We need a lawyer. The impact to this is massive and will affect health.
“People have a right to live in their homes. This is through the back door and will affect the welfare of people.”
Councillor John Steele said the plan was “outrageous”.
He said: “There will be volumes of material which will bring lorries and dust.
“I am so concerned this is not what it appears.
“I am worried there could be no golf club at the end of it.”
Councillors unanimously agreed to strongly object to the planning application and to find out the cost of professional advice.
It was agreed to object on the grounds of:
▶ The application is ‘a heavily disguised waste management operation masquerading as a golf course remodelling exercise.’
▶ The volume of waste material involved is very substantial.
▶ The nature of the material dumped on the site may well be hazardous.
▶ The daily volume of HGV traffic travelling to and from the site would have a negative impact on Whiston and the surrounding areas.
Councillors also agreed that if the application was granted, they would ask that there are conditions imposed to ensure:
▶ The regular monitoring of waste arriving at the site by the SCC enforcement team.
▶ There are financially binding contractual obligations in the form of a bond placed on the applicant/ contractor, to ensure that all work is properly completed, and all environmental conditions fully complied with.
It was also agreed to contact the area’s county councillor, Mike Worthington, to call in the application so that it would have to go before the full planning committee instead of being a delegated decision by an officer.
In their planning statement, the Pegasus Group, on behalf of the golf club, said: “Whiston Hall Golf Club has been financially struggling for a number of years to remain open.
“The site is not maximising its full potential as a destination in a location where Staffordshire Moorlands District Council want to increase opportunities for tourism through the Churnet Valley Masterplan.
“In order to establish the course as a known destination for tourism golf and increase membership and general participation, the current course needs investment to improve the site drainage and accessibility of tees.
“The proposed development has minimised the amount of material required to remodel and regrade part of the course, while half the course will remain open during the temporary period, which inert engineering material would be imported in.
“The importation of inert engineering materials to remodel the golf course is only temporary.
“The strategic aim of the proposed development is to create an improved golf course destination, and to reinvest in Whiston Hall to create a high-class golf resort, hotel and wedding venue which will increase visitor numbers and local employment required for the running of the hotel and course.”