The Newcastle-under-Lyme Council Planning Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss several planning applications, including major developments at the former Zanzibar nightclub site, Willoughbridge Lodge Farm, Chatterley Park, and land off Lamphouse Way. Councillors will also receive an update on enforcement action relating to 5 Boggs Cottage.

Former Zanzibar Nightclub Site

Councillors are scheduled to review an application for full planning permission for the erection of 63 apartments at the former Zanzibar nightclub site on Marsh Parade. According to the Public Reports Pack, the application, submitted by Durata Developments Ltd, also includes associated hard and soft landscaping works, and the provision of access and parking.

The application was deferred from a previous committee meeting to allow Environmental Health to consider noise information, and the Highway Authority to provide more information on parking and cycleways.

The proposed apartments are intended to be 100% affordable rent.

The report pack notes that local and national planning policy seeks to provide new housing development within existing urban development boundaries on previously developed land, and that the site is located within the Urban Area of Newcastle. It quotes paragraph 86 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which states that planning policies and decisions should support the role that town centres play at the heart of local communities, by taking a positive approach to their growth, management and adaptation.

The report pack also refers to the Newcastle Town Centre Supplementary Planning Document, which places the application site within the Live – Work Office Quarter, noting that additional residential development is appropriate in this location, but design will need to reflect the importance of the area as an important gateway.

The report pack states that a Noise Impact Assessment has been provided in support of the application, which concludes that, subject to mitigation details, the future occupants of the site would be safeguarded from high noise levels. It also notes that the Council's Environmental Health Team considers the assessment to be acceptable, and that the mitigation methods are enough to provide protection from any noise from The Rigger, a nearby music venue.

The report pack recommends that the application be permitted, subject to conditions.

Willoughbridge Lodge Farm Poultry Houses

The Planning Committee will also consider an application for the erection of two poultry houses and associated infrastructure at Willoughbridge Lodge Farm, Willoughbridge. According to the Public Reports Pack, the applicant, Mr Paul Parton of Parton Poulets Ltd, operates a dairy and arable farming business at the farm.

The site lies in the open countryside in an Area of Landscape Maintenance, and the farmhouse, Willoughbridge Lodge, is a Grade II* listed building. A Scheduled Ancient Monument Moated site, four pond bays and an associated enclosure at Willoughbridge Park lie to the west of the application site.

The proposed poultry units would be located on lower ground to the east of the main farm complex, with a new access track linking the development to the existing farm track. The associated infrastructure would include control rooms, feed bins, a feed weighing room, a concrete apron, a dirty water tank, a water tank, a plant room, a gate house, a backup generator and an attenuation pond. Overall, the development provides 5643 sq. m of new agricultural floor space and will provide accommodation for 70,000 broiler chickens.

The report pack notes that an application for an Environmental Permit (EP) was submitted separately to the Environment Agency (EA) in February 2025, which will assess emissions to water, air and land, including to groundwater and odour, noise and vibration monitoring.

The report pack states that the key planning matters in the determination of the application are:

• Principle of development
• Whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the setting of the grade II* listed Willoughbridge Lodge and adjacent scheduled ancient monument
• Impact of the environmental effects of the development on the amenity of the area and nearby residents in terms of noise, smell, air pollution, ammonia, nitrogen deposition and dust
• Impact on landscape character
• Highway safety and parking implications
• Flood risk and drainage, including the impact of wastewater/manure disposal on nearby watercourses
• Ecology and biodiversity net gain

The report pack recommends that the application be permitted, subject to conditions.

Chatterley Park Developments

The Planning Committee will also discuss reserved matters applications relating to Plot A and Plot B at Chatterley Park, Peacock Hay Road, Talke. Both applications, submitted by Harworth Estates Investments Ltd, seek approval for the appearance, landscaping, layout, scale and access for buildings in Use Classes E(g)(ii), E(g)(iii); and/or B2 and/or B8¹ pursuant to outline element 19/00846/OUT of hybrid planning application 21/00595/FUL.

The application site forms part of the wider Chatterley Valley development site, which has a long-standing employment allocation and has previously been subject to planning permission for its redevelopment.

The report pack notes that the key issues for consideration are the design and landscaping of the schemes, the impact on the form and character of the area, and access, parking and highway safety matters.

The report pack recommends that both applications be permitted, subject to conditions.

Land off Lamphouse Way, Wolstanton

Councillors are scheduled to discuss an application to vary condition 2 of planning permission 22/00796/FUL relating to land off Lamphouse Way, Wolstanton. According to the Public Reports Pack, the applicant, Mr Mark Ellis of Markden Homes, seeks to allow for changes to the site layout, specifically the repositioning of plots 30 – 43.

The report pack notes that a previous application (reference 25/00131/FUL) to amend the layout was refused due to concerns that the use of unadopted highways would be discriminatory against any future occupants of the site with disabilities. The applicant seeks to address this concern by providing an amended highway layout.

The report pack recommends that the application be permitted, subject to conditions.

Slaters, Stone Road Hill, Chorlton

The Planning Committee will also consider an application for full planning permission for the demolition of the existing fire-damaged shopping village building at Slaters, Stone Road, Chorlton, and the construction of six detached dwellings with associated garages. According to the Public Reports Pack, the applicants are Mr and Mrs Slater.

The site currently comprises the existing fire-damaged building, its associated car park, and an enclosed field. It lies within the open countryside and an Area of Landscape Maintenance.

The report pack notes that the key planning matters in the determination of the application are:

• Principle of proposed residential development
• Character and appearance of the development and potential impacts on the wider landscape
• Housing mix
• Highway Safety and parking implications
• Trees and hedgerows
• Ecology and Biodiversity
• Residential amenity
• Flood Risk and Drainage

The report pack recommends that the application be permitted, subject to conditions.

5 Boggs Cottage, Keele

Finally, the Planning Committee will receive an update on the progress of enforcement action in relation to a breach of planning control at 5 Boggs Cottage. The report pack notes that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed an appeal and the enforcement notice has been quashed, granting planning permission for the use of a mobile home on the land as a dwelling, subject to conditions.

The report pack states that details to discharge conditions 3 and 4 were submitted, and while approval was given to Condition 4 site restoration, the drainage details were refused following consultation advice received from Severn Trent Water[^3]. The report pack notes that officers are considering appropriate enforcement action in respect of the breach of that condition.

The report pack also notes that the existing mobile home on the site has been demolished and the site cleared, and that dialogue continues with the owner of 5 Boggs Cottages regarding occupation of the site and other potential works/development.