Statement on Oakleys Farm
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council encourages farms to diversify and has provided grants through its Rural Regeneration Fund and through the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help agricultural initiatives. In this case, Oakleys has developed without consideration for relevant planning policies and, in particular, that the site is located within the Green Belt where under National Planning Policy agriculture is permitted but other forms of commercial development are not.
A number of buildings have been erected at the site without planning permission, some of which have been subject to planning applications which have been refused on the basis that there was no agricultural justification for them, given that existing buildings were being utilised for non-agricultural purposes.
A number of non-agricultural uses have been introduced at the site including storage and sale of builders materials, garden and landscaping materials/supplies, second hand plant and machinery, firewood and food products; the storage and hire of groundworks vehicles, equipment, machinery and plant; the holding of public events; and the ancillary parking of vehicles. No planning application was made for these uses.
The Council served two enforcement notices last year: one in respect of the unauthorised buildings and one relating to the uses. The owner exercised his right to appeal to the Secretary of State and a Government Inspector has concluded that both Notices should be upheld. The Government Inspector concluded that "...these uses would result in the site having a commercial appearance more akin to a small business park. This would be in stark contrast with its lawful agricultural use. It would therefore represent a significant visual intrusion on the openness of the Green Belt."
The Government Inspector considered the merits of farm diversification stating: "I acknowledge the commercial activities taking place on the site may help support the agricultural activities. However, there is no evidence before me to indicate to what extent they provide support." With regard to the shop the Inspector also noted that: "The appellants contend that the farm shop is essential for the viability of the agricultural activities taking place on the site. During my site visit, there was a variety of goods sold in the shop. However, only a small proportion of this appeared to be produce directly sourced from the farming activities on the site." The sale of goods produced on the farm itself is normally permissible.
However, he was also at pains to point out that the Notice did not require the agricultural activities to stop and there is no reason why aspects of the business such as rearing buffalo meat or grazing reindeer cannot continue in the other buildings on site. The Notices only relate to non-agricultural uses and specific buildings.2
Published on 9 June 2026.
