A Staffordshire transport firm aiming to grow and create new jobs has been allowed to create extra lorry parking on Green Belt land.

The proposals put forward by MJS Transport for land to the north of its Woodhead Garage base in Cheadle were recommended for refusal by planning officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The yard extension was considered inappropriate development in the Green Belt and also sparked objections from nearby residents. But district councillors went against their officers' recommendation on Thursday (December 15) and voted unanimously to approve the application on the grounds that the benefits would outweigh potential harm.

The planning committee was told that the extension would enable more than 20 new jobs to be created at the Froghall Road business, as well as safeguarding 82 existing roles. The development will also enable a new staff parking area to be created, as well as reducing vehicle movements to and from other sites.

The existing yard has space for 43 lorries and two vans and the new parking area will result in a net increase of 35 spaces. Councillors heard that there were no suitable alternative sites within the district to allow the business to expand

Applicant Mick Shirley said: "Our goods vehicle operator's licence allows us to operate up to 65 vehicles and 70 trailers currently on this site, but to do so on this existing site boundaries is an operational challenge. The increase in parking would enable us to operate more efficiently and safely and also enable us to quote for new business which could in turn create new jobs.

"Our business being under one roof is key to keeping vehicle movements on the highway and our carbon footprint to a minimum. Our customer requirements have grown over recent years, such that some collections and deliveries to and from our warehouse are sub-contracted to third parties.

"This results in loaded vehicles delivering into us for one customer and leaving empty, whilst other vehicles arrive empty to collect for other customers and leave loaded. With other vehicles and parking we could undertake this work ourselves, and reduce the vehicle movements on the road and on the site."

Cheadle Town Council has raised no objections to the proposals. But Staffordshire Moorlands District Council received six letters of objection in response to the application, including one letter with 12 signatures.

Don Leeming spoke on behalf of residents of Masefield Close, who are concerned about increased flood risk, noise and light pollution. He said: "The proposed extension will involve the loss of an area of Green Belt and your own officer identifies this is an inappropriate development of Green Belt with no very special circumstances to outweigh the harm.

"A section of dense vegetation was removed from the north bank of Cecilly Brook in 2021. This vegetation was a natural sound and light barrier and since its removal some residents have experienced sleep deprivation due to the noise levels from the yard.

"A further 35 heavy goods vehicles will only add to their suffering. If approval is granted there still needs to be provisions such as a detailed drainage plan, a flood risk assessment and a re-establishment of the north bank screening vegetation."

Councillor Mike Worthington spoke in support of the application and said it would help safeguard jobs. And committee chairman Councillor Stephen Ellis, who represents north Cheadle, said the business was held in very high esteem in the area.

He added: "The site has always been a good neighbour. The only adverse comment I picked up was when the boundary hedge was thinned out because people said they could see and hear the site more.

"I do have some concerns regarding the lighting and I would like to see a review of the lighting so that it doesn't shine and create any glare offsite. Although landscaping is part of this plan, that needs to be looked at to make sure buffer is put back in and (residents) haven't got any visual, light, noise or amenity intrusion on all boundaries of the site."