A planning application to demolish a Biddulph stables and replace them with a bungalow has been refused by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The application submitted by a Mr Ernest Shaw sought permission to demolish a set of existing stable buildings on Akesmore Lane, and replace them with one detached bungalow.

The bungalow would have been made up of two bedrooms, one bathroom and an open plan living/kitchen/dining room.

A planning statement prepared on behalf of the applicant by Emery Planning Partnership argued that the development would not be considered inappropriately harmful to its Green Belt location.

It said: "The site is within a sustainable location within walking and cycling distance of Biddulph. As the site is currently used for equestrian purposes, it is therefore previously developed land.

"It has been demonstrated that in both spatial and visual terms the proposed dwelling would have no greater impact on the openness of the Green belt than the existing development.

"The proposal would therefore represent the redevelopment of previously developed land in the Green Belt which would have no greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing development."

However, although the council accepted that the plans would not be harmful to the Green Belt, they were refused on the grounds that its location would be too noisy for anyone who lived in the proposed bungalow.

A report by the district council's planning officers reads: "The application site is located immediately adjacent to an agricultural/skip storage yard.

"The submitted Noise Assessment indicates that the existing use operates at significantly high noise levels and even with the proposed mitigation measures, the noise impacts generated would have a significantly unacceptable effect on the amenity of the occupiers of the proposed dwellinghouse, making the application site unsuitable for residential use. In addition, complaints by any future residents could compromise the use of the existing yard."

If you would like to see the application in full, click here.