A proposed touring caravan and motorhome site near Eccleshall has won retrospective approval to station a static caravan to provide office and staff welfare facilities.

The site, on land next to Stone Road, Norton Bridge, has a conditional approval from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, a report to Stafford Borough Council's planning committee said.

The committee agreed to the retrospective change of use of land to site a static caravan, installation of a septic tank and creation of a hardstanding area at its meeting on Wednesday (21 October).

The application was recommended for approval by planning officers and approved by just one vote, with five members voting in favour and four against.

A report to the committee said: "It is understood that the site has a long history of enforcement proceedings against its residential use, culminating in a successful court action by the council.

"In 2025 the applicant gravelled and part tarmacked the land/its entrance, erected fencing and stationed additional touring caravans, a shed and other associated paraphernalia on the site.

"Although the touring vans, shed and their accompaniments have now been removed, the mobile home remains on the land.

"It is the applicant's intention to utilise the site as a certified, five-van caravan club site.

"Details of the pending Caravan and Motorhome Club (5VCS) site registration have been supplied by the applicant.

"As the change of use of the land for the stationing of a static caravan and physical works described above require the benefit of planning permission, the Enforcement Team requested the submission of this application."

The application was called in by Eccleshall ward member Cllr Peter Jones, who said the location was totally unsuitable, with the site being near railway lines and two roundabouts on the B5026, access onto the road was unsuitable for caravans and the site was not suitable for overnight or longer visits.

He also raised concerns that the applicant may turn the site into a permanent caravan park.

Cllr Roy James said he drives past the site regularly and highlighted its location between two railway lines to fellow committee members at Wednesday's meeting, as well as a slope leading down to the site.

He said: "If you are going to tow caravans down there it's going to be pretty dangerous."

But Cllr Andy McNaughton said: "We have a positive side – it could be an asset to the rural economy.

"It could bring a bit of money in and I think we are short of accommodation."

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: "The development involves the siting of a static caravan on a permeable hardstanding.

"The hardstanding is necessary to prevent the ground from being churned up in wet weather.

"The caravan is a single unit caravan and it is intended to be used as a visitor greeting and registration facility for visitors, as well as providing a staff welfare facility and toilet in connection with the running of a proposed five-pitch certified caravan site.

"The proposal represents a small-scale, low-impact rural tourism development."