Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has approved a planning application to build four new homes next to a Brown Edge pub.

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how a planning application was submitted to build three new houses and a bungalow on Green Belt land next to the Top Pub in Brown Edge.

Access to the homes would be through the pub's car park, with the car park being improved to "minimise conflict between future residents and customers and maintain and improve the efficiency of the car park."

A 2017 application also sought to construct houses on the site, but it was refused by the council on the grounds that the plan's proposed car park access would lead to conflict, as well as highways and Green Belt concerns.

However, the new application offers several amendments in the hopes of easing these concerns, such as adding speed bumps to the car park, and including a new pedestrian access route.

A planning statement by the application's agent, Ken Wainman Associates, argues that the proposed development represents "limited infilling in villages" and would therefore be appropriate for the Green Belt.

The statement also argues that the application would "not adversely affect the viability, or community use, of the pub" and would "not reduce the number of car-park spaces".

In a letter to the council, the pub's landlord supported the application, saying: "I fully support the new application because of all the proposed safety improvements including the relocating of some car park spaces and especially the improvements to the entrance/exit which will actually make it safer for our customers.

"I am now satisfied the proposal will have no impact on the operation of the car park on the viability of my business and that is why I am supporting the application."

However, around 30 letters were received from local residents, with some of these objecting to the plans.

Their concerns related to a range of issues including harm to the Green Belt, highway safety, flooding risk, and overcrowding of local amenities.

On the other hand, there were also residents' letters written in support of the application, with some believing that it would be a positive step forward for the community.

Brown Edge Parish Council supported the application. The authority acknowledged that the application is in Green Belt, but it was also noted that the development would be infill to the current village boundary.

They added that the new plans have improved access and egress visibility which will improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians.

The district council's planning officers also recommended that the application be approved.

At a Planning Committee meeting held yesterday (Thursday), councillors voted to approve the application, meaning the plans have now been given the go-ahead.

After concerns were raised over some aspects of the application during the meeting, the approval came with the added conditions relating to sustainable construction methods, the access route through the pub's car park and the location of bin storage.

The application was passed by eight votes to three, with one abstention.

To view the meeting in full, visit the webcast page of the council's website here.