Holiday lodges near listed hall set for approval
GoogleA controversial plan to build holiday lodges in the grounds of a country house has been recommended for approval.
The proposal for Woodhead Hall, near Cheadle, would place six lodges and a clubhouse in a field near the Grade II listed building, off Cherry Lane.
More than 30 residents have objected to the plan, raising concerns over traffic implications, noise, and impact on wildlife.
However, planning officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said the benefits of providing new tourism accommodation would outweigh any harm. The planning committee meets to consider the scheme on Thursday.
Applicant Woodhead Hall Estates originally proposed a development of 12 holiday lodges across two fields next to a fishing pond, according to the officers' report.
But the plans were later amended to exclude the field nearest the hall and reduce the number of lodges to six, with a clubhouse for a local angling club.
Each one-bedroom lodge would have an outdoor patio with timber decking, and there would be a total of 11 parking spaces on the site, plans stated.
Meanwhile, 34 objections have been submitted to the district council, with five people writing in support.
One resident who lives near the site said the "permanent human traffic" would have an adverse impact on "rare" bird species.
"Cherry Lane cannot cope with additional volume," he stated. "It is narrow, poorly maintained, and the access to Oakamoor Road is someone's death waiting to happen."
However, another resident called the scheme "stunning", adding it would bring in business and tourism.
Highways officers said, in a report to the planning committee that the plans were "unlikely to have a severe effect".
Officers also suggested any potential wildlife impact could be mitigated via planning conditions.
"Overall, the benefit of providing visitor accommodation in the Churnet Valley area that also provides a benefit to the existing angling club through the provision of a much needed clubhouse, would outweigh any harm," the report said.
This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
