Plans for a prestigious leisure development at a 400-acre former quarry site in the Staffordshire Moorlands have taken a step forward with a planning inspector giving the go-ahead for the first phase of work.
Developers Laver Leisure say they are ‘delighted’ to have cleared the hurdle and that Moneystone Park, at the former Moneystone Quarry near Whiston, will ‘offer something for everyone’.
Outline planning permission for the scheme, which will create up to 250 lodges alongside a wide range of outdoor and indoor recreational facilities, was given by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council in 2016, but a reserved matters planning application for phase one of the development, submitted in 2019, was turned down by the council’s planning committee in October 2023 over environmental concerns.
The decision was subject to a public inquiry held in September last year and a government-appointed planning inspector has now given planning consent for the reserved matters application.
The phase one application proposes the development of 190 holiday lodges, along with a central hub building housing a farm shop, gym, swimming pool, spa, restaurant and café, bowling alley, cinema screening room, games room and visitor centre.
Peter Swallow, of Laver Leisure, said: “We are delighted that the Government appointed Planning Inspector has allowed our appeal and that Moneystone Park has decisively cleared this latest hurdle.
“The Inspector concluded that our proposals are of high-quality and locally distinctive, and are fully compliant with the council’s own planning policies and the 2016 outline planning approval.
“When completed, Moneystone Park will offer something for everyone. The local community will benefit from ecological and natural habitat improvements, while significant economic, social and environmental benefits will also be delivered.
“Day visitors can access an exciting blend of indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities, while those staying overnight or longer can make use of high-quality accommodation and have ready access to the pubs, restaurants and attractions within the Moorlands.”
He added: “Moneystone Park will create around 250 full-time permanent jobs, plus a further 230 jobs during construction. Through visitor spending, engaging local supply chains and providing wages, Moneystone Park is expected to help add a further 78 full-time equivalent jobs elsewhere in Staffordshire Moorlands.”
Laver Leisure has agreed an employment and skills charter with the council which aims to ensure local people and businesses benefit from the development.
Consideration will be made to long-term unemployed residents of the Staffordshire Moorlands and Laver Leisure says it will seek to maximise job opportunities for local people with disabilities.
The firm will also aim for a target of 40 per cent of goods and services onsite being provided by businesses based within the council’s boundaries or within 15 miles of the site.
A reserved matters application for phase two of the development, dealing with the details required to deliver the remaining 60 lodges, was also submitted in October 2023, but a decision is still to be made on it.
