Moneystone Park plan approved for Moorlands despite dozens objecting
The final phase of plans to redevelop a former quarry and turn it into a holiday park have been approved.Sixty lodges, an archery building and a watersports centre will be built at Moneystone Quarry near Cheadle, Staffordshire, as part of a wider Moneystone Park scheme from Laver Leisure.The decision came after plans for the first 190 lodges at the site were approved on appeal, having initially been refused by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council in 2023, over concerns about the design.Richard Woodford, planning advisor for Laver Leisure, told councillors that the development would be a "unique and exciting scheme".
"It's a well-designed and attractive scheme that successfully integrates the timber lodges, watersports centre and archery centre into a strong landscape framework," he told Thursday's meeting."There are significant economic and social benefits which the scheme will bring to the area."
There were 48 objections to the scheme, including from councillor Su Beardmore, who represents Staffordshire Moorlands – Churnet Valley on Staffordshire County Council.The Reform councillor said the proposed 60 lodges were "effectively static-type caravans with metal chassis and brickwork skirting"."It is concerning that such a design is primarily aimed at cost-savings and stringent requirements associated with building regulations, rather than enhancing a rural environment with a high-quality design," she said.Beardmore also referred to concerns raised by some residents over the site's instability but the authority was told the removal of water from the land had made the ground more stable.
Before voting to approve the plans, councillors said a planning inspector's decision to approve the previous application on appeal meant they could not block the new proposal on design grounds.Councillor Mark Johnson said: "I too wish these lodges exhibited slightly more flair, but, as has been made very clear, our hands are tied by the inspector's decision."Councillor Keith Hoptroff added that the development would improve the quarry's safety and make "good use of a vast site".
This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
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