SMDC changes to planning

Developers in the Staffordshire Moorlands will be able to bypass council planners – after they blocked too many applications.

The government has issued a designation notice to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council - effectively putting its planning department into special measures – due to its 'under-performance'.

Designation means that developers will be able to submit applications for major schemes directly to the planning inspector, instead of going through the council.

SMDC's designation came into force on Monday and will remain in place until it can show the government it can make 'quality planning decisions’.