Education centre approved for German Military Cemetery

Replacement roof covering has also been approved by Stafford Borough Council after copper thieves targeted the buildings at Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery.

The site at Broadhurst Green, which contains the graves of almost 5,000 German and Austrian nationals, is the largest concentration of German military interments in the country. It includes a Grade II Listed building, while the park and garden are Grade I listed.

The borough council has approved plans for the former caretaker’s accommodation to be converted into an educational and exhibition facility. The planning officers’ report said the proposal would bring that section of the Listed Building back into use.

The report added: “The caretaker’s accommodation has been vacant for several years. It suffers from damp and has been damaged due to the theft of the roof.

“The main building has been subject to theft and vandalism. Most of the copper roof has been stolen, which has resulted in substantial damage to the building, (and) Listed Building Consent was granted in 2023 for a temporary roof replacement.

“The proposed education and exhibition space includes the addition of a modest 25sqm extension. This single-storey extension would have a flat roof and would be clad in a steel which appears similar to the stolen copper.

“Subject to conditions, the alterations would maintain the quality and significance of the building. The proposed development would maintain the site's level of tranquillity.”

A Stafford resident who wrote to the council in support of the proposals said: “It has been sad to see the deterioration of the buildings in recent years and I welcome the revitalisation and new education and interpretation uses at the principal German Military Cemetery in the UK. The proposal is sensitively handled and the new use is very worthwhile in terms of education of young people and the general public.

“The new roofing material and detailing is a practical and sensitive solution for the listed buildings and will be far less attractive to the thieves of the copper roofing. The public interest is better served by the new non-copper materials.

“The refurbishment should return the buildings to a condition of which the council and the War Graves Commission can be proud and visitors from the UK and abroad can be fittingly welcomed to a place of peace and tranquillity. Hopefully, the works can be completed before the next Remembrance Day in 2025.”