Staffordshire fruit farm wants to extend its caravan park to accommodate hundreds of seasonal workers

Dearnsdale Fruit, which grows produce including strawberries and raspberries on sites to the west of the county town, employs hundreds of seasonal workers during peak months to help pick its crops.

Planning permission has previously been granted to site caravans at Dearnsdale Farm, Billington in Stafford, to provide accommodation for the seasonal workers. A new application has been submitted to Stafford Borough Council to extend the existing caravan site.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the latest application said: “The business owns approximately 1,270 acres, together with a further 50 acres being rented on a variety of agreements. Dearnsdale Farm extends to approx 400 acres, which is used to grow soft fruit, together with an arable rotation.

“The business is operated as a limited company employing 20 full-time members of staff across all sites. An additional 760 seasonal staff (maximum at any one point) are employed from April to October during peak picking periods, however, the total seasonal staff vary due to some only working for short periods of time (one month) and in excess of 1,000 different seasonal workers are employed throughout the year.

“The seasonal staff are housed at a variety of sites including Dearnsdale Farm or Knightley Hall in caravan accommodation or in short-term residential lets. The site of the proposed caravans is situated along a field headland, adjacent to the existing caravan site.

“The proposal is to extend the existing caravan site to incorporate a further 10 units for accommodation. It is proposed for the new accommodation to be of a log cabin style construction, each measuring 19.95m by 6.75m

“This will equate to a total of 90 caravans or log cabins sited at Dearnsdale Farm. All caravans and proposed log cabins are used to accommodate seasonal workers in conjunction with the soft fruit enterprise operated by Dearnsdale Fruit.

“It is felt that the additional 10 log cabins will have minimal impact on the local landscape or any neighbouring property owner.”

Below are other planning applications published or validated by Staffordshire councils in recent days:

Stafford Borough Council

1) 25/40639/TWT: TPO (Tree Preservation Order) 26 1973: Three Yews – crown lift to 3m. Some branches have grown close to ground level, we would like to crown lift to three metres for better access underneath the trees and to allow a boundary fence to be installed for security at The Garden House, 46 Tittensor Road, Tittensor, ST12 9HQ

2) 25/40613/TCA: Trentham Conservation Area: Goat Willow (T18) – Reduce crown to original pollard points and prune away crown by 2.5m or to the nearest suitable pruning points to provide clearance to the adjacent building and remove stem epicormic from contact with the adjacent property at The Vicarage, Trentham Park, Park Drive, Trentham, ST4 8AE

3) 25/40590/TCA: Hanchurch Conservation Area: Four Hornbeam – Overall reduction by 25-30%. Work requested as part of routine management to maintain size and shape of tree in relation to location at Holmes Farm Cottage, Ridding Bank, Hanchurch, ST4 8SD

4) 25/40540/REM: Proposed Reserved Matters (access, layout, appearance, scale and landscaping) associated with Phase 6 (Infrastructure) on land north of Beaconside, Stafford

5) 25/40507/HOU: Two-storey front extension with glazed link at Bridge Farmhouse, Green Road, Weston, ST18 0HZ

6) 25/40457/HOU: First floor side and front extension at 7 Charterhouse Avenue, Queensville, Stafford, ST17 4TJ

7) 25/40417/FUL: Construction of two covered slurry stores to replace two existing open-air lagoons at Wheaton Aston Farm, Little Onn Road, Marston, ST20 0AU

8) 25/40345/FUL and 25/40273/LBC: Installation of an automated teller machine at Stone Pharmacy, 5 – 7 Stafford Street, Stone, ST15 8AJ

9) 24/39853/COU: Extension of existing caravan site for the housing of temporary workers. The proposed new accommodation will be a log cabin style construction. The proposal is in conjunction with the soft fruit business at Dearnsdale Farm, Bury Ring, Billington, ST18 9DH

10) 24/39808/FUL: Variation of condition 2 (plans) of permission 21/35180/FUL (change of use of part of former school to residential use (class C3)) at Chetwynd Centre, 10 Newport Road, Stafford, ST16 2HE

11) 24/39951/LBC: Variation of condition 2 (plans) of 21/35181/LBC (Works to facilitate change of use of part of former school to residential use (class C3)) at Chetwynd Centre, 10 Newport Road, Stafford, ST16 2HE

East Staffordshire Borough Council

12) P/2025/00401: Erection of outbuilding to rear of the dwelling at Marlborough House, Market Place, Abbots Bromley, WS15 3BP

13) P/2025/00426: Reserved matters application relating to planning permission P/2024/00709 for the erection of a permanent self build agricultural workers dwelling including means of access at Warren Farm, Uttoxeter Road, Abbots Bromley, WS15 3EJ

14) P/2025/00434: Demolition of a single storey extension to facilitate the erection of a single storey side and rear extension at Sacred Heart Church, Church Lane, Abbots Bromley, WS15 3DD

15) P/2025/00365: Demolition of garage to facilitate a single storey side and rear extensions at 235 Burton Road, Branston, DE14 3DR

16) P/2025/00375: Erection of outbuilding to form office and gym at 29 Sheffield Street, Burton, DE14 3LE

17) P/2025/00450: Application under Section 73 to remove Condition 2 relating to occupancy attached to planning permission PA/18676/004 for the variation of condition to broaden restriction from agricultural worker to any occupant requiring a dwelling to rent at 1 Fauld Hall Cottage, Fauld Lane, Fauld, DE13 9HR

18) P/2025/00352: Replacement roof to an existing classroom at Lansdowne Infant Academy, Goodman Street. Burton, DE14 2RE

19) P/2025/00344: Erection of a single storey timber frame annex at Magpie Hall, Lane from A518 near Loxley to Woodcock Heath, Kingstone, ST14 8QS

20) P/2025/00286: Conversion and alterations to existing agricultural building to form a dwelling at Bottom Hedge Farm, Leigh Lane, Bramshall

21) P/2025/00367: Demolition of existing side extension to facilitate the erection of a two storey side extension at 1 Princes Terrace, Main Road, Mayfield, DE6 2LE

22) P/2025/00369: Erection of single storey side extension and front porch at 1 Reddie Close, Rocester, ST14 5PD

23) P/2025/00228: Demolition of stables, conservatory and shed, lowering of patio ground level, erection of a caravan enclosure and new shed, replacement of all doors and windows to main dwelling, new doors to garage, alterations to drive including widening of access, new access gate, wall and pillars at 14 Knowles Hill, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9DY

24) P/2025/00402: Application under Section 73 to vary Condition 2 (site plan 15.3208.67 updated to 15.3208.80E) and to remove Condition 5 relating to the non-return valve attached to planning permission P/2020/00255 for the conversion of former hotel and coach house to create 10 residential units including demolition of an existing conservatory and small section of hotel at Brookhouse Hotel, 39 Station Road, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9AA

25) P/2025/00357: Erection of a single storey rear extension, rear dormer extension and raising of ridge height to the existing roof to form loft conversion and installation of rooflights to the front elevation at 204 Shobnall Road, Burton, DE14 2BE

26) P/2025/00453: Erection of building to south-west elevation for installation of sprinkler pump house and two water storage tanks at Vitality House, Sixth Avenue, Burton, DE14 2WP

27) P/2025/00038: Erection of a part two storey part single storey side extension at 196 Rosliston Road, Stapenhill, DE15 9RF

28) P/2025/00454: Change of use of two dwelling from dwellinghouse (C3a) to children’s care home (C2) at 21 Cornwall Road, Burton, DE15 9NA

29) P/2025/00285: Retention of hardsurfacing to whole of domestic curtilage at 202 Rolleston Road, Burton, DE13 0AY

30) P/2025/00398: Installation of external disabled ramp and entrance door at Dove Evangelical Free Church, Stone Road, Uttoxeter, ST14 7QW

31) P/2025/00441: Erection of two storey side extension, single storey front and side extension, installation of roof lights to roof conversion, re-siting of existing oil tank, alterations to bay window and associated ground works at The Cottage, Timber Lane, Uttoxeter, ST14 8DQ

Cannock Chase District Council

32) CH/25/0138: Erection of a four bed custom/self build dwelling at 26 Rugeley Road, Hazelslade, Cannock, WS12 0PQ

33) CH/22/0480/C: Application to discharge Condition 30 (waste management audit) of CH/22/0480 (variation of Conditions 2, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 24 of CH/20/306 – removal of existing hardstanding and erection of a retail foodstore with associated car parking, access, landscaping and associated engineering works) on land at Power Station Road, Rugeley

34) CH/25/0159: Application for the proposed lawful development of a single storey rear extension at 1 Woodcote House, Shirewood, Cannock, WS11 1RA

35) CH/25/0158: Legalise the existing use of basement and granny flat annexe as two individual one bedroom flats at 25, Hednesford Street, Cannock, WS11 1DJ

36) CH/25/0157: Single storey rear extension and elevation alterations including demolition and replacement garage at Oaklands, Buds Road, Cannock Wood, WS15 4NB

37) CH/25/0155: Erection of a single storey rear extension at 98 -100 Princess Street, West Chadsmoor, Cannock, WS11 5JT

38) CH/25/0156: Alterations to existing road revised junction arrangement and associated development at former Rugeley Power Station, Rugeley

39) CH/25/0153: Non-material amendment to CH/21/0274 (erection of five two storey units with integral residential parking) to amend window design and layout on land to rear of 6 Mill Street, Cannock, WS11 0DL

South Staffordshire District Council

40) 24/00794/COND: Discharge of condition 3 (Materials) of application 24/00794/FULHH (erection of a garden room and store outbuilding and associated landscaping) at 7 Richards Court, Bednall, ST17 0SP

41) 20/00312/COND6: Discharge of condition 17 (details of biodiversity enhancement measures) of application 20/00312/FUL (erection of Lidl foodstore, a retail unit (both use class A1) and an industrial/commercial building (use class B1a, B2, B8) associated parking and external works following demolition of existing industrial/commercial buildings) at Wombourne Enterprise Park, Bridgnorth Road, Wombourne, WV5 0AL

42) 25/00418/FULHH: Detached garage with solar panels and ASHP at Mill Barn, 2 Stretton Mill, Stretton Mill Road, Stretton, ST19 9LH

43) 25/00417/LUP: Two storey rear extension, single storey side extension, loft conversion and outbuilding at Keepers Coppice, Showell Lane, Lower Penn, WV4 4TU

44) 25/00427/FULHH: Proposed boundary wall and gates to frontage and dropped kerb extension at 51 Pendeford Mill Lane, Bilbrook, WV8 1JG

45) 25/00399/LUP: Confirmation is sought that the moorings granted under application 10/00312/FUL (construction of 199-berth inland marina with associated ancillary development and landscape works) can be lawfully used as a person’s sole or main place of residence under a temporary mooring agreement for a 12 month stay at Swindon Marina, High Street, Swindon

46) 25/00319/FUL: Construction of a barn for storage of animal feed and bedding, agricultural machinery and plant. Erection of a horse walker at Hall End Farm, Hall End Lane, Pattingham, WV6 7BN

47) 25/00315/FULHH: Rear extension, single storey including glass balustrade to enable walk on roof and front porch at 24 Lydiate Hill Road, Gospel End, DY3 4BG

48) 25/00242/FUL: Replacement dwelling at Loneacre, 128 Feiashill Road, Trysull, WV5 7HT

Lichfield District Council

49) 25/00614/FUH: Erection of a first floor front extension at 252 Chase Road, Burntwood, WS7 0DY

50) 25/00608/FUH and 25/00609/LBC: Replacement of timber framed garden room, with aluminium framed double glazed structure (graphite grey) and replacement of windows and doors in south elevation at 18 Mill End Lane, Alrewas, DE13 7BX

51) 25/00604/FUL: Alterations to existing road, revised junction arrangement and associated development at former Rugeley Power Station, Armitage Road, Armitage, WS15 1PR

52) 25/00603/FUH: Erection of two storey rear extension, alteration to front entrance and side screen wall at 2 Beecroft Avenue, Lichfield, WS13 7EZ

53) 25/00597/FUH and 25/00596/LBC: Single storey rear extension at Brownsfield Farm, One Sheriffs Ride, Netherstowe Lane, Netherstowe, Lichfield, WS13 8EQ

54) 25/00594/FUH: First floor side extension and internal alterations at 55 Upper Way, Upper Longdon, WS15 1QB

55) 25/00585/FUH: Erection of single storey side extension at Horsley Stables, Raikes Lane, Lichfield, WS14 0EJ

56) 25/00583/FUL: Erection of ancillary storage building, anchored to existing hardstanding on land off Wellington Crescent, Fradley Park, Lichfield, WS13 8RZ

57) 25/00580/FUH: Installation of of external render at 12 Greenways, Chorley, Lichfield, WS13 8DP

58) 25/00570/FUL: Erection of two units for residential care for children (Use Class C2) with associated development comprising access, parking, landscaping and support office at 5 Stafford Road, Lichfield, WS13 7BZ

59) 25/00560/FUH: Retention of detatched outbuilding located at the rear of the garden to be provided as a storage unit at 33 Thorpe Street, Burntwood, WS7 1NJ

60) 25/00536/FUH: Single storey rear extension at 15 Church Street, Whittington, WS14 9LE

67) 25/00345/COU: Change of use from stables to garage at The Smithy, Lower Way, Upper Longdon, WS15 1QG

68) 25/00327/FUH: First floor extension over existing garage at 9 Holywell Rise, Lichfield, WS14 9SW

69) 25/00321/FUL: Erection of replacement dwelling, garage and associated works at Moorfield, Talbot Avenue, Little Aston, B74 3DD

70) 25/00308/FUL: Side extension to an existing agricultural shed on land adjacent Maple Hayes School, Abnalls Lane, Lichfield

71) 25/00089/FUH: Erection of detached garage with annexe above and conversion of existing garage and various alterations to bungalow at 41A Borrowcop Lane, Lichfield, WS14 9DG

Tamworth Borough Council

72) 0109/2025: Internal alterations to Grade II Listed building at The Old White House, 16-20 Church Street, Tamworth, B79 7DH

73) 0108/2025: Discharge of condition 4 (fume extract system including noise and vibrations technical data) of application 0016/2025 (change of use from estate agents to hot food takeaway)at 5A Victoria Road, Tamworth, B79 7HL

74) 0107/2025: Erection of a two storey rear extension with single storey side extension at 2 Greenhill Close, Dosthill, Tamworth, B77 1NA

75) 0106/2025: Garage conversion at 37 Claremont Road, Tamworth, B79 8EN