A planning application to site 11 caravans and four "shepherd hut" camping pods at a farm located next door to Knypersley Reservoir has been refused.

The plans were submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council by a Mr Mark Hall, and relate to a site at Knypersley Mill Farm on Judgefield Lane, which overlooks the reservoir, a popular local beauty spot and walking destination.

The application aimed to turn part of the farm into a campsite including the caravans and camping pods.

Discussing the campsite plans, a statement prepared on behalf of the applicant said: "The applicant is looking to intensify the volume and duration of these activities. This intensification remains modest and a total of 11 caravans are proposed, with four additional freestanding

'Shepherds Huts' meaning the total number of guests would be 15 parties."

It concluded: "The proposals strengthen the rural economy by allowing the 'diversification' of the farmsteads activities to provide a public tourist facility. This will have a small positive effect on tourism and visitor numbers to Knypersley, Biddulph, and the wider district of Staffordshire Moorlands."

However, the district council's planning officers have since refused the application, on the grounds that it would represent inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

The officers' report said: "The proposal would reduce the Green Belt's openness which gives rise to additional harm.

"The development would also have significantly detrimental effects to the character and appearance of the countryside."

Biddulph Nub News reported previously how an existing plot for caravans on the site was ordered to be scrapped by the council after a retrospective planning application for the area was refused.

The application stated that the area of land was originally cleared to be used as a horse area, but later changed its use in 2015 to site privately owned caravans by members of the public who store them on the site when they are not in use and collect them to use them for holidays off the site.

However, the council again concluded that the site was harmful to the Green Belt, and required the land to be returned to its original state.

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