Lorry park plans passed despite light concerns

A 1.8 hectare section of open farmland east of the Stan Robinson Ltd site near Seighford has been earmarked for the new HGV and trailer park.

The new facility aims to expand parking for the firm’s current fleet of 63 HGVs and trailers.

A flood attenuation pond has also been proposed to the east of the site, along with fencing, lighting and landscaping.

But the lighting plans sparked objections from Seighford Parish Council – and calls for mitigation measures such as screening or the potential lowering of the height of the lampposts if the application was allowed. The parish council was also concerned that additional HGV traffic could lead to issues on local roads which were not adequate for the size of the vehicles.

On February 19 Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee heard that an early mature oak tree was set to be removed as part of the parking scheme. A planting scheme would compensate for the loss of the tree however.

A report to the committee said: “The Tree Officer comments that the tree is of moderate amenity value but appears to have developed a less than optimal form. Whilst the tree is not without merit it does warrant being a prohibitive constraint to development and therefore raises no objections.”

Seighford ward councillor Mark Winnington, who called the application in for consideration by the planning committee, said: “I am not hear to ask for this to be refused – It’s important to the local economy and there are a lot of people who have jobs there.

“I have been asked to call this in by the parish council and local residents. They want some clarity around one or two points, that this won’t cause an increase in traffic and the light scheme won’t be excessive.

“I’m really pleased there is an attenuation pond in the proposed development – the last two or three weeks and months have shown us where there is a big area of Tarmac we need to make sure there is some kind of balancing pond there.”

Committee member Tony Pearce highlighted the effect of an increase in artificial lighting on insect populations.

He said: “I would prefer to see something movement activated. I don’t see why this area has to be lit up all night.”

But the meeting heard lighting was required from dusk until dawn for vehicle safety reasons.

Councillor Winnington added: “It’s an industrial estate – they’re already lit up at night seven days a week. The position faces away from any houses up there and I can’t see it is a problem.”

The application, which had been recommended for approval by council officers before the meeting, was passed by 10 votes, with one abstention.