Berkswich Parish Council

19/10/2026

📢 PLEASE ATTEND THE SBC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

📅 Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 6.30 pm
📍 Civic Centre, Riverside, Stafford, ST16 3AQ

Please come and show your support in opposing planning application 25/41031/PIP.

🗣️ Please note: Only one spokesperson will be allowed to speak for three minutes on behalf of the objectors.

The application seeks permission in principle for the er****on of nine dwellings on land off Milford Road/School Lane, Walton on the Hill.

🌳 Why is this important?

Berkswich Parish Council and many local people have objected to this application because the site is not allocated for development and the proposal would harm the setting of Cannock Chase National Landscape.

The land forms part of site BER05 in Stafford Borough Council’s Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) consultation of 2025.

If planning permission is granted now for just nine houses, it could open the door to the development of all 158 dwellings suggested in the SHELAA document.

Please attend the Planning Committee meeting to show Borough Councillors the strength of local objection to this application. Your presence will help demonstrate the strength of feeling within our community.

08/10/2026

LOCAL PEOPLE. REAL CHANGE.

Could you see yourself serving your community as a parish councillor?

Berkswich Parish Council is looking for people from across our communities who are interested in getting involved, representing local views and helping shape the future of the parish.

Parish councillors can play an important local role — from supporting local services and facilities, to protecting green spaces, listening to residents and bringing new ideas to the table.

If you’re considering standing, now is a good time to find out what’s involved.

📅 The election process starts in April 2027
📅 New councillors take office on 10 May 2027

Interested? Find out how to stand:

📌 Electoral Commission — Resources for Candidates at Parish Council Elections in England
https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance-candidates-parish-council-elections-england/resources-candidates-parish-council-elections-england

📌 Stafford Borough Council — Standing as a Candidate
https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/parish-and-town-council-standing-as-a-candidate

The Electoral Commission provides practical guidance and resources for prospective parish council candidates, while Stafford Borough Council provides local information about standing for election.

Could you bring your experience, ideas and enthusiasm to Berkswich Parish Council?

Find out more and decide for yourself whether standing could be right for you.

08/09/2026

Our annual audit for 2025–26 is now complete. All of the documents are now available on our website:
berkswich-pc.gov.uk/your-parish-council/finances/

If you’d prefer a printed copy, just let Sue (Clerk) know — she can arrange one for £10 per copy.

If you have any questions about the audit or want help understanding any of the documents, please feel free to get in touch.

07/09/2026

Join us for Love Your Countryside 💚

This September, we're celebrating the ordinary countryside all around us - the fields, footpaths and hidden corners we often walk straight past.

Sign up to discover local walks, secret spots, and a fresh way of looking at the world on your doorstep.

👉 https://bit.ly/4h6n0f6

01/09/2026

Booking is open now for those eligible for a free NHS Flu Vaccination - see nhs.uk/bookflu or call 119 to book in from October

Bookings for this year’s flu vaccine are now open for those who are eligible.

Flu can be very serious for children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with long-term health conditions. Last year, it was estimated that the flu vaccine prevented 104,000 unnecessary hospitalisations.

If you’re eligible, you can now book your flu vaccination online or through the NHS App.

Find out more and book here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/book-flu-vaccination/

25/08/2026

Check your bin day next week, don't get caught out by the bank holiday

Revised bin collection days will be in place next week up to and including Saturday 5 September 2026 due to the Bank Holiday on Monday 31 August 2026.

You can check your collection days online here: http://bit.ly/sbcaboutmyarea

09/07/2026

Our Chair, Cllr Alan Taylor, attended the SBC Planning Committee meeting yesterday where the application for 9 houses near School Lane was considered and was able to give a 3 minute presentation of the Parish Council's objections. The applicant also spoke to the committee.
A proposal to permit the development received 2 votes in favour; none against; and 10 abstentions. An alternative motion to defer the scheme to allow the applicant to reconsider the access point was carried and will come back to a future committee meeting. All parties who were previously contacted regarding this application will be contacted again by SBC at that time.

We have received a consultation letter from Stafford Borough Council on an application for permission in principle to erect 9 dwellings on land off Milford/Main Road, Walton on the Hill near the junction with School Lane (part of BER05 on SBC's Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) 2024 Update). All the application documents are available to view online at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/planning-public-access under application ref 25/41031/PIP. Anyone can comment on the application and the consultation expires on Wednesday 17 September 2025.

24/06/2026

EDIT: SBC have confirmed that the Parish Council have until Monday 13 July 2026 to respond to the amended application and that "any written representation received before a decision is made will be taken into consideration" so there is time to respond if you wish to. Regards, Sue

New documents and responses have been added to SBC’s planning portal for this application, although the consultation on the amendments appears to have been sporadic.
You can view everything here: https://www12.staffordbc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=externalDocuments&keyVal=T49TENPSJLV00
We’ve requested confirmation from SBC on the deadline for comments and will share an update as soon as we can.

SBC have extended their deadline for comments on planning application 25/41305/FUL for 40 dwellings at land off Old Croft Road to Wednesday 4 February 2026. We encourage residents to share their views on proposals by viewing the documents and commenting at https://www12.staffordbc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=T49TENPSJLV00. Berkswich Parish Council have objected to the proposals and their response can be found at https://berkswich-pc.gov.uk/news-article/objection-to-planning-application-25-41305-ful-land-off-old-croft-road/.

23/06/2026

Red and amber heat alerts have been issued for Wednesday and Thursday across England.

As the weather gets warmer, the risk of wildfires is higher.

It takes just one spark to cause a wildfire in dry conditions, so keep yourself, places, and wildlife safe by:

🚫 Not lighting fires
🌭Only having BBQs where signs permit
📲Calling 999 if you see an unattended fire

22/06/2026

Please be cautious during the extreme heat expected this week. An amber heat alert is in effect, with a red alert from Wednesday through at least Thursday as temperatures may reach 39°C. A red alert is the highest level, meaning the heat can impact everyone, not just those who are vulnerable. Keep an eye out for elderly and vulnerable people in your area.

Teach children about the risks of swimming in open water like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs—strong currents, deep cold water, and hazards beneath the surface. Even on hot days, open water can be cold enough to cause cold water shock, a reaction that makes it hard to breathe or swim and can lead to panic. The shock passes quickly, so it’s important to recognise it and remember to float.
https://rnli.org/safety/float?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20429695650&gbraid=0AAAAACp8Oo8CI5lrI0CJ6huD5OUKIKMn_&gclid=CjwKCAjwuuPRBhAnEiwA2Ji8emGQLaVkScgZZd6xg_r1kmJAHCboaQQT9GCrmIyELwsBH3Sx85iTbxoCP5AQAvD_BwE

⚠️ Extreme heat this week – take care and look out for each other.

An amber heat alert is now in place, with a red alert from Wednesday to at least Thursday as temperatures could reach 39°C.

This is the highest level of alert, which means the heat can affect everyone – not just vulnerable people.

Tips for keeping cool in the heat:
💧 Drink plenty of water – avoid too much alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks
🪟 Close curtains in sunny rooms to keep your home cool (it might feel cooler outside)
🕶️ Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm where possible
🧴 Wear sunscreen, a hat and stick to the shade if you’re outside
🏃 Take it easy – avoid physical activity in the hottest part of the day
👶 Check in on others – especially older people, young children and those with health conditions
🚗 Never leave anyone in a parked car – even for a few minutes

🐾 Look after pets too – if the ground is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws. Walk them early or later in the day and take water with you.

If you’re heading outdoors:
🚫 Don’t bring barbecues into parks – the wildfire risk is very high right now
💧 Don’t swim in open water where it’s not allowed. It might look inviting, but it can be very cold. Jumping or diving in can trigger cold water shock, which can be life-threatening.

Take it slow, plan ahead and look out for each other 👍