Stafford Muslim Community Centre and Ranton Holiday Lodges Set for Decision at Planning Committee

Stafford Borough Council’s Planning Committee is set to meet next week to decide on several significant developments, including a new community centre in Stafford and holiday lodges in Ranton.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 10th December 2025, at 6.30pm in the Craddock Room at the Civic Centre. Councillors will discuss four planning applications and review one appeal decision.

Here is a breakdown of the items on the agenda:

1. Stafford Muslim Community Centre (Recommended for Approval)

• Location: Land Off Sandyford Street, Stafford.

• Proposal: The conversion of a former industrial unit into a place of worship and community centre. The plans include a single-storey extension for entrances, a separate mortuary building, and internal classrooms.

• Details: The applicant, Stafford Muslim Community Centre Ltd, proposes to create a facility with multi-functional prayer halls and ancillary spaces. The site would include 48 parking spaces (40 for visitors, 6 for staff, and 2 disabled bays).

• Issues: The application was "called in" by Councillor L Nixon due to resident concerns regarding flooding and parking. However, officers have recommended the scheme for approval, subject to conditions. These include restricting operating hours to between 08:00 and 23:00 (with an exception for dawn prayers) and securing a £3,000 contribution for travel plan monitoring.

• More info: We covered a quite news story about their recent open day. More info here

  
  

2. Holiday Lodges at Ranton Trout Fisheries (Recommended for Approval)

• Location: Land adjacent to The Lakehouse, Butt Lane, Ranton.

• Proposal: Change of use of land to site 7 holiday accommodation lodges, comprising one large lakeside lodge, three 2-bed units, and three 1-bed units.

• Details: The development is intended to complement the existing Ranton Trout Fisheries business. A business plan submitted with the application argues that the venture is financially viable and meets a local need for tourism.

• Issues: Councillor J T Rose called in the application, citing concerns over highway safety, the impact on the local community, and potential future development. Despite objections from the Highway Authority regarding the sustainability of the location and conflict between vehicles and pedestrians on the narrow lane, planning officers have recommended approval, stating the traffic impact would be moderate and not severe enough to warrant refusal.

  
  

3. Self-Build Dwelling at Whitgreave (Recommended for Refusal)

• Location: Waste Transfer Station, Whitgreave Manor Holding, Whitgreave Lane.

• Proposal: Demolition of a barn and outbuildings to provide a plot for a self-build detached dwelling.

• Recommendation: Officers have recommended refusal. The report concludes that the site is in an "unsustainable location" where occupiers would be wholly reliant on private cars for access to services, outweighing the benefit of adding one home to the housing supply.

4. AC Units at Stafford Jobcentre (Recommended for Approval)

• Location: 30 Greengate Street, Stafford.

• Proposal: Installation of wall-mounted air handling condenser units on the flat roof area above the Jobcentre.

• Details: This application is before the committee because the Council owns the building. The proposal is recommended for approval, with officers noting the units will be screened by a parapet wall and will not harm the character of the adjacent Conservation Area.

  
  

Appeal Decision: George Hill Court The committee will also note a recent appeal decision regarding George Hill Court, Fancy Walk. The Planning Inspectorate has allowed an appeal against the council's non-determination of an application to replace 1m high fencing with 1.8m fencing. The inspector granted planning permission, agreeing it would improve security without harming the character of the area.