A well-performing Biddulph business will no longer need to install a surface water drainage scheme after being granted permission to expand onto a vacant plot of land at Victoria Business Park.

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how Haulage company MF Tyler transport received permission from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to expand onto the unused plots 12-15 at the business park, which is currently an area of undeveloped scrubland.

The business is based on an adjacent plot in the business park, but hoped to develop the nearby unused area to create more storage and parking space for their lorries.

Since that permission was granted, the business since submitted another application to construct the parking area without including a surface water drainage scheme, which was previously a condition of the approval.

The application was discussed at a meeting of the district council's planning committee held today, with the applicant explaining that the areas would be finished with crushed limestone as a permeable free draining surface, and that the areas would not be used to fuel, wash off or carry out maintenance, meaning a drainage scheme would not be necessary.

Cllr Keith Flunder questioned whether the permeability of the limestone finish would decrease over time, and a condition was added to specify that the surface would need to be properly maintained to ensure that its permeability would be sustained.

Councillors voted to approve the parking area being constructed without needing a drainage scheme.