Planning appeal decision
Balls Paddock, Bottomhouse, Leek, ST13 7QJ
Planning appeal 3244249 at Balls Paddock, Bottomhouse, Leek, ST13 7QJ (Staffordshire Moorlands District Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 6 February 2023 by Inspector Freer P, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether a mixed use of agriculture and the stationing of caravans for residential use is justified in this location, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
Material change of use of agricultural land to a mixed use comprising agriculture and the stationing of caravans for residential use
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Change of use
- Inspector
- Freer P
- Postcode
- ST13 7QJ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether a mixed use of agriculture and the stationing of caravans for residential use is justified in this location, either on a temporary or permanent basis
- The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
What decided it
The mobile home and associated mixed use failed to satisfy the essential need test in NPPF paragraph 80 for isolated homes in the countryside, and caused unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the area contrary to the development plan.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SS10Policy H1Policy H4Policy DC3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 80
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Staffordshire Moorlands
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
- Quashed On Legal Grounds21 August 20263377456Sprinks Farm, Blackwood House Lane, Horton, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8QE
- Notice upheld13 August 20263371728The Land to the East of Ross Road, Staffordshire , ST10 2JF
- Notice upheld9 July 20263357672158 Bagnall Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 7LW
- Quashed On Legal Grounds15 June 2026335696957 Ostlers Lane, Cheddleton, Leek, ST13 7HS
- Notice upheld14 May 20263375060Little Blakeley, Lane Farm, Blakeley Lane, Dilhorne, Stoke on Trent, ST10 2PT
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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