Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has been placed under a Government planning designation after ministers concluded the authority was not adequately performing its role in determining major planning applications.
The designation means developers submitting major applications will be able to choose whether to apply to the district council or directly to the Planning Inspectorate. The measure will remain in place until it is revoked.
The council was among nine local authorities issued with designation notices following an assessment of planning performance for major developments over the two-year period ending 31 March 2025, together with appeal decisions up to 31 December last year.
In its notice, the Secretary of State said the council was ‘not adequately performing their function of determining applications for planning permission for major development’.
A major planning application includes proposals such as 10 or more homes, development on sites of one hectare or more, or 1,000 square metres or more of non-residential floorspace.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said: “The Council notes the Government’s decision and has been aware of performance against the number of appeals allowed for some time. We have already taken steps to improve that performance including working with the Planning Advisory Service and other specialist advisors.
“This decision relates to major applications only. The Council receives a small number of major applications each year so a small number of decisions allowed on appeal over a 12-month period can result in the Council exceeding the 10 per cent threshold. Between April 2023 and March 2025, six major applications were allowed on appeal taking us just over the threshold.
“Over that period, the Council’s performance has markedly improved. Between April 2024 and March 2025 only two appeals were allowed and the decisions overturned at appeal was five per cent – well within the 10 per cent threshold. No major applications have been allowed on appeal between April 2025 and March 2026.
“The Council will continue to liaise with the Government and the Planning Advisory Service on a service improvement plan as we work to bring this designation to end as soon as possible.”
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce said it had contacted the council to offer its support as the authority works to improve its planning performance.
