Hall development sparked fears over impact on roads, wildlife and noise pollution
THE new complex at Consall Hall has not been without controversy.
Last December, members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s planning applications committee gave the go-ahead for the major redevelopment of the hall and grounds near Wetley Rocks.
This despite fears of narrow roads and poor public access being available to the landscaped gardens.
And once development started, there were complaints from residents concerning noise and the setting up of a mobile home.
The planning application, which involved the demolition of a 130-year-old hall, was put forward by Ben Reeves of
Consall Hall Estate Limited.
It included the change of use and redevelopment of the private house, gardens and wedding venue to form a hospitality venue, wellbeing hotel and lodges comprising of the installation of 15 holiday lodges, 10 shepherd huts, demolition of existing outbuildings and construction of new wedding venue buildings.
There were 58 letters of objection to the original proposal.
A further 42 letters of objection were received in response to the proposal amended in September 2019.
As work progressed, residents have complained to the council over alleged breaches of conditions. One resident complained about noise from a generator, and a mobile home which had become a dwelling.
In response, a spokesperson for the estate said they were strictly following conditions laid down and that the mobile home near the entrance was a security lodge for the site.
The main planning-related objections raised related to the impact on the local roads and increased traffic creation with the narrow rural nature of the roads not considered to be able to support the proposal and compromising highway safety.
Other concerns raised include the impact on wildlife and trees, noise creation and disturbance from vehicles and the use of the wedding venue; increase in visitors causing increased litter and harm to surrounding farmland and livestock; impact on the rural and historical character of the area and new modern design of the hub building being out of keeping with the area.
The council also received 32 letters of support for the proposal.
Back in December, 2019, councillors voted 12 for approval, with one against and one abstention with a condition that officers look at placing a condition that the gardens are open to the public at least two days a year when the wedding venue is not in operation or when the hotel is not full.