Plans to build on former power station site given green light despite objections
Plans to build on a former power station have been given the green light despite objections from councillors over the increase in traffic and the effect on the local landscape.
The disused Meaford Power Station site near Stone spans 47.12 hectares and will provide 96,932 square metres of employment space. Confidential talks are already being had over building requirements for three major local occupiers in the region.
The site will be used for industrial uses which, when operating, will lead to between 1,074 – 2,693 full-time local jobs being created. In addition, it is estimated that it will bring in between £2.1 and £2.5 million a year in business rates.
James Bonner, planning agent told the committee: “We have worked positively and constructively with the local community, including several meetings onsite with Meaford Road Residents Association and the local ward member.
“We’ve listened to the community and amended our application as a result of concerns. Principally removing development on the southern part of the site and reducing height of the development particularly,
“It involves the reuse of previously developed land given its former use as a power station.
“St Modwen are a core employment partner with the new Stoke and Staffordshire Institute of Technology, supporting them on the design and delivery of their construction environment curriculum.
“The timing of the first phase of Meaford is an excellent opportunity for the students based in Stafford.”
A number of objections were withdrawn prior to the meeting, including two local residents and Meaford Residents Association.
The site, which is approximately one kilometre from Stone, was demolished in 1982 and 1996, although some buildings remain which will be demolished.
Planning permission for the re-development of the site was granted in 2007 and then extended in 2015. This application gives greater flexibility in terms of how the site is developed.
Ward councillor for Barlaston, Councillor Gareth Jones had issues with the amount of traffic the site would cause and said that most of the additional traffic would run through his ward.
He said: “We’re talking about a site which over the passage of time 2,963 direct operational employees, it might be more, will be driving down Meaford Road and I think the impact of that will not particularly affect Meaford, it won’t particularly affect Stone because people will find their way to the A34 but it will affect Barlaston.”
Due to the location of the site, which is in the greenbelt, “very special circumstances” need to be met. In their report to the planning committee officers stated that these have been met.
The report states: “In this case the very special circumstances associated with the development and benefits of the development are very substantial and substantial weight can be attached to them in the planning balance.
“They relate to the contribution of the proposal to the Council’s employment land supply deliverability and the socioeconomic benefits of the development, in accordance with the relevant policies of the adopted Local Plan, as well as the fact that there is an established fallback position for development of the site.
“It is therefore considered that these other considerations outweigh the harm identified and that there are very special circumstances which justify the development.”
Planning officers recommended approval for the development. However “as this is inappropriate development in the Green Belt” the Secretary of State to determine whether to call-in the application for their own determination.
Despite the plans being passed the committee was split in their judgement with six councillors voting in favour of the plans while three voted against.
