Yesterday, 15th June 2026, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, along with 8 other local authorities, lost their decision-making power for planning processing of larger developments. Matthew Pennycook, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, stated that he had reviewed data for the two-year period ending on 31 March 2025, as well as the subsequent appeal decisions up to 31 December 2025, regarding the quality of decision-making by SMDC on major development planni
SMDC wants to hear the thoughts of residents, businesses, and the community as the plans for the Market Hall and Market Square develop and is inviting everyone to come along to an ideas fair on Saturday, 20 June. Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Regeneration and Planning, Councillor Darren Price, said: "Please come and join us at the weekend to tell us what you think of our plans and how you’d like to see this area of the town develop. Let’s work together to deliver somet
Community and voluntary organisations, and parish councils, are being invited to apply for funding to support practical projects that make rural areas more attractive, accessible and welcoming. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s new Rural Regeneration Fund will help pay for small community-led projects that improve the experience of visitors and enhance the quality of life for residents such as: Improvements to public information boards, interpretation panels, and s
We are pleased to report that the bins were emptied on Friday as promised. They did spend a week on the street, but the service is now back on track. Leave your bin out; they are coming for it. This week, residents in the North Ward, Froghall Road, Ness Grove, Churchill Road, and more have not had their bins emptied on the usual Monday collection. Many of you will know that if you leave your bin out overnight, you could be fined for doing so. COGNEWS spoke with the dist
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has set its budget for providing essential services to residents, businesses and visitors at £14.4 million for the coming year. A council tax increase of £5.17 (2.99%) has been agreed setting Band D payments at £178.21 for 2026/27. Councillors also agreed to revise the council tax reduction scheme to: Allow all applicants who receive Universal Credit but who do not have any earnings to receive the maximum amount of support Disregard
During a Cheadle Town Council meeting this week, District Councillors Ian Plant and Vicky Wheeldon said that following a Growth and Economy meeting to be held in May 2026, steps will be taken to modernise Cheadle's Market Square. Currently, the building is locked, and the electricity is off. Bollards have been installed to prevent parking on the District Council-owned land adjacent to the building. Cheadle Market prior to SMDC purchase The building has now stood empty since S
