LAND ADJACENT TO THORNCROFT FARM, Blackshaw Lane, Blackshaw Moor, Leek, Staffordshire

1. 1.The proposed development would be provided outside of a settlement and is not a form of development that falls within any of the categories of development at policy S5 of the NPPF (Aug 2026) that should be approved outside settlements. Specifically, while the development would make some small address of an unmet housing need it would not be physically well- related to an existing settlement and it would not be of a scale which can be accommodated taking into account the existing or proposed availability of infrastructure. Any benefit associated with the proposal does not amount to an 'exceptional circumstance' where the benefits of the proposal would substantially outweigh the adverse effects to the character of the countryside and in relation to promoting sustainable patterns of movement. In these regards, there is conflict with the terms of the NPPF and policies SS10, SS9 and H1 of the SMDC Local Plan 2020.
2. 2.With consideration of the location and amount of development proposed, the proposed development would appear as a prominent intrusion in the countryside that would interrupt views of high-quality landscape features; appear as an isolated strangely appointed form of development that would not have any relationship to an existing settlement or grouping of houses; and have a detrimental adverse impact on the beauty of the countryside, the rural character of the area and the setting and approach to existing visitor attraction. There would be conflict with SMDC Local Plan policies SS10, H1, DC3 and DC1 and the terms of the National Planning Policy Framework (Aug 2026).

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

ST13 8TR

Application type

Outline

Date validated

28 July 2026

Consultation expiry

19 August 2026

Consultation end

1 September 2026

Target decision date

1 September 2026

Agent address

10 Cawdry Buildings , Leek , Staffordshire Moorlands , ST13 6JP

Case officer

Ben Hurst