SMDC Archives - Times Echo and Life

January 16, 2020

Plans for 85 dwellings up for refusal

A PROPOSAL for a large residential development on land south of a Moorlands village has been recommended for refusal by planning chiefs. The application to build a proposed total of 85 residential units on a 3.15 hectare-site located between Folly Lane and Cheadle Road in Cheddleton is set to be debated and decided upon at the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) planning committee meeting tomorrow (Thursday, January 16). Previous plans to build on the same site were thrown out in October 2018 after the SMDC refused the application on the grounds of: “This is a greenfield site situated within the Green Belt.

Green light for major plans at scenic site

PLANS to redevelop a scenic site in the Moorlands have been given the go-ahead by the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC). Applicant Ben Reeves submitted the proposals for Consall Hall & Gardens, near Wetley Rocks, which include the change of use and redevelopment of Consall Hall, private house, gardens and wedding venue to form “a hospitality venue, wellbeing hotel and lodges.” The plans include 15 “low-impact, high quality holiday lodges” as well as ten 'shepherd huts' and 21 accommodation pods.

Five per cent tax increase in parish

A PARISH council is set to increase it's precept by five per cent. Forsbrook Parish Council has stated that the extra money to be paid by council tax payers within their parish during the financial year of 2020/21 will enable it to carry out “more community activity” within the village. A precept is a 'bill' which parish and town councils, and other statutory bodies, send to district councils - the authorities which collects council tax.

Permission sought to sell alcohol at health and beauty store

A TOWN council has decided it has no objections to an application which has been submitted by a high street shop for an alcohol licence following a debate amongst its members at a meeting recently. Health and beauty store Savers has applied to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for permission to sell alcohol at its premises on High Street in Cheadle. Cheadle Town Councillors debated about this application at a council meeting on Monday (December 2).

Town’s swimming pool could be made smaller

A COUNCIL is considering decreasing the size of a Moorlands town's swimming pool – after a review has been carried out focusing on it's leisure centres across the district. In a report conducted by a consultancy on behalf of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) it has been suggested to make a “smaller community pool and fitness offer” for the leisure services which the authority provides at South Moorlands Leisure Centre (SMLC) in Cheadle. The authority appointed FGM Consulting Limited in 2017 to review its leisure centre provision and sports facility needs, focusing on sports halls, swimming pools and other indoor provision.

Hybrid planning application approved

STAFFORDSHIRE Moorlands District Council (SMDC) has approved a hybrid planning application that asked for full permission to build 125 dwellings and access to a proposed primary school as well as outline permission to erect up to 135 dwellings and primary school. Applicants Persimmon Homes (North West) Limited had submitted these proposals which are in regards to land to the East of Froghall Road and North of Ayr Road, and Cheltenham Avenue, Cheadle. A hybrid planning application is one that seeks outline planning permission for one part and full planning permission for another part of the same site.

Parish council given opportunity to run public toilets

A PARISH council has been given the opportunity to take over the running of a village's public toilets – an asset that previously drew complaints from residents due to opening hours. It was revealed at Forsbrook Parish Council's recent monthly meeting that the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) has given the parish council two choices in regards to taking over the running of the public toilets which are located on Cheadle Road in Blythe Bridge. Parish councillor Tony Holmes said: “There are a couple of options we've been given. One is that we take on the toilets and the district council stay as site owner.

Target to make town first “plastic-free” community in Moorlands

A COMMUNITY leader is vying to launch a new scheme that he hopes will limit the amount of plastic that is used in a Moorlands town. Cheadle town councillor Jamie Evans is proposing to try and push Cheadle to become the “first town in the Moorlands to go ‘plastic-free’” by cutting down on the amount of the material that businesses and schools within the area use. At a recent council meeting, he successfully asked for the support of the town council in regards to backing the scheme with a view that a more expansive and detailed plan will be drawn up.

Investment in high street on the cards?

GOVERNMENT funding aimed at boosting high streets could be channelled into Cheadle, after it was revealed almost 20 per cent of shops in the town are unused. Cabinet members at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) will discuss a report on the Town Centre Regeneration and Investment Programme at a meeting next week. The report recommends SMDC apply for cash from the government's £675million Future High Street Fund to invest in Cheadle.

Council set for buy-to-let

A SCHEME to turn empty properties into affordable housing has attracted criticism from some Cheadle councillors. The plan - to buy unused properties and rent them out - is set to focus on Cheadle North East as well as wards in Leek and Biddulph. But councillors for the Cheadle ward expressed doubts over the proposals.