Plans for underground 'Hobbit house' approved

Artist's impression of how the former reservoir in Biddulph will look when turned into a home

A former underground reservoir is set to be turned into a home after councillors approved the plan, with one comparing it to a Hobbit house.

The project in Biddulph was also likened by Staffordshire Moorlands councillors to some of the developments featured on TV show Grand Designs.

The conversion of the former Severn Trent storage tank had been recommended for refusal by planning officers as it was considered inappropriate development in the green belt.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council voted to approve the change of use application of the structure on Troughstones Road, with Biddulph Town Council members describing it as an innovative design.

Under the plans, the storage tank will be turned into a four-bedroom home, with a green roof put over the existing roof of the reservoir.

Planning committee members were told a previous application for a home on the site was refused permission, with an appeal dismissed by a planning inspector.

It had been considered inappropriate development, and harmful to the openness of the green belt.

But a planning consultant for the client said features the inspector had raised concerns about had been removed, and the building would be largely submerged.

Councillors said it was a creative reuse of an industrial building, and none of the people consulted about it had objected.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.