SMDC Planning Office: The Letter That Changes Everything
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- 3 min read
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 planning applications.
Matthew Pennycook believes that the local planning authority is, in certain respects, not adequately fulfilling its role in determining planning permission applications for major developments to the extent that they are no longer responsible for developements.
What is a major development?
A major development means development involving any one or more of the following:
(a) the winning and working of minerals or the use of land for mineral-working deposits;
(b) waste development;
(c) the provision of dwellinghouses where—
(i) the number of dwelling houses to be provided is 10 or more; or
(ii)the development is to be carried out on a site having an area of 0.5 hectares or more and it is not known whether the development falls within sub-paragraph (c)(i);
(d) the provision of a building or buildings where the floor space to be created by the development is 1,000 square metres or more; or
(e) development carried out on a site having an area of 1 hectare or more;
What does this mean for South Staffordshire Moorlands?
Time will tell, but it could put an end to over-height homes being built, misuse of Section 106 money, and residents having to endure 6 years of house-building hell for a small development. Will it mean better infrastructure provision, improved protection of our wildlife habitat, reduction in land grabbing, and enforcement not acted upon? Well, we can hope!
Something that is likely to be problematic is the planned builds for Cheadle Leisure Centre and Cheadle Market, which are likely to take longer and are even less likely to be complete in time for local government reorganisation so Cheadle in Doom continues.
Local champion for planning and engineer Bernie Charlesworth said, "I'm not surprised by the government's decision. SMDC have low technical ability from both the planning department and the councillors involved. There are no indications of infrastructure changes being properly considered for developments either."
"I am concerned that the government is forcing local councils to push applications for housing at all costs without the necessary stipulation on the type of housing. Yes, we need more affordable housing for our young people and for our elderly residents to stay in their homes as long as possible, reducing the impact on care costs, but that's not what's happened here. Often developers develop lifestyle properties because it is more profitable, and if the government allows that to continue, that will be bad news for our area," Bernie said.
"Cheadle has been discussing a bypass for traffic since 1958, and yet we continue to make no provision for increased traffic whatsoever," Bernie concluded.
We've asked SMDC for comment and will let you know what they tell us.
One thing is certain: the value of the town council standing with residents to carry out their wishes has never been more important.
How designation notices work
This designation notice is now in force for the foreseeable future If their performance improves, then the designation may be removed. Designations will be reviewed annually by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Some Local Planning Authorities may remain designated, while others will be de-designated. Similarly, other Local Planning Authorities may become subject to designation in later years.
Here is the link to the background information:
SMDC Planning Office: The Letter That Changes Everything - created 16th June 2026
