A new home which is set to generate its own renewable energy has been given the green light by Stafford Borough Council.

The one and a half storey home, which will be of "contemporary architectural design", is set to be constructed to "Passive House Plus" standards on land at Drointon Lane, Stowe by Chartley.

Ward cllr Frances Beatty called in the application for the planning committee to consider if it was contrary to council policies.

She described it as "inappropriate development within a residential garden, unsympathetic in design in the rural environment (and) contrary to best environmental practice in proposing to discharge water run-off into the public sewer rather than an on-site arrangement."

Stowe by Chartley Parish Council member Peter Coote, who spoke against the application at Wednesday's planning committee meeting (June 10), said: "The parish council objected to the application because the road floods, there are drainage issues and it is out of keeping with its environment.

"If the application is approved and there are not major all-encompassing mitigation measures, neighbours and road users will bear the brunt of surface water flooding."

But Rob Hughes, who spoke in support of the application, told the committee the lead local flood authority (LLFA) had raised no objections to the proposal.

A report to the committee said: "The LLFA advise that inclusion of a swale feature and the measures indicated in the Flood Risk Assessment are acceptable measures to mitigate against identified risks of surface water flooding to the property and to third parties."

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Mr Hughes said: "In 2019 the council declared a climate emergency, with a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 – a commitment that has since been brought forward to 2035.

"Whilst members may be familiar with Passive House design, this particular proposal has gone further in proposing a rigour of sustainable design, for which there are only 20 certified projects in the UK today.

"The Passive House Plus classification is part of a newer generation of standards, intending to push buildings from being merely efficient to being net-positive generators of energy. Whilst achieving exemplary levels of energy efficiency in a building of more contemporary design, the height, scale, siting, layout, parking and garden arrangements of the proposal all conform to the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

"We are aware of objections from a small number of neighbours to the proposal which is regretful – we appreciate not all proposals receive full support.

"However in this particular case the merits of the proposal are clear."

Committee members voted to approve the application, in line with the planning officers' recommendation, subject to conditions.

Cllr Scott Spencer called for a further condition to be added to require that on completion of construction, certification to demonstrate the house has been constructed to Passive House Plus standards be provided.