Decision on the future of Cannock’s former Royal British Legion club delayed

Plans for a three-storey 24-bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO) at the Stafford Road site were rejected by Cannock Chase Council in December 2018 because of concerns about lack of parking and the size and size of the redevelopment being out of keeping with other buildings in the area.

An appeal was lodged against the decision and dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate for design reasons.

A fresh application has now been put forward for a two-storey building. The number of bedrooms has been reduced by six and the proposal has also been amended to provide additional kitchen facilities.

The new proposals were recommended for approval by council officers ahead of Wednesday’s virtual planning committee meeting.

But the council received four letters from the public, raising concerns including lack of parking, over development of the site and existing anti-social behaviour issues outside the current building – as well as the type of people who would be living in the HMO.

One objector said: "Despite what the owner states most people these days own a car, especially the professional people they claim will be living here – that’s not to mention the staff and visitors. We live in a busy enough cul de sac without more cars parking illegally or taking up spaces on the restaurant car park.

"That’s not to mention any work vehicles needed during the development – this could make it dangerous for pedestrians and us, getting past to get to town and school.

"Who exactly will be living here? What kind of residents require CCTV, secure doors and windows, access control and a manager/on site security?

Support

"We have worries about the crime and anti-social behaviour this development will attract to the area – especially as first-time home owners looking to move eventually and with having a young family to think of."

But Julian Raxter, speaking in support of the application during Wednesday’s meeting, said that residents would be living close to public transport links including the town’s bus station.

"The scheme as submitted has no objections from Highways", he added.

In response to the anti-social behaviour issues raised he said: "I believe there is a pharmacy down the road that distributes methadone prescriptions. This is not a planning issue, it is a social issue – and I’m not sure what the police can do about it.

"This is an opportunity to redevelop a derelict town centre site that would support the council’s own town centre regeneration scheme."

The application divided opinion amongst committee members. Three voted in favour of approving it, but four were against granting permission and another four members abstained from voting.

There were further concerns that if the application was refused due to lack of car parking the decision may be overturned on appeal and committee members agreed to defer the decision after reaching an impasse.

Planning officer Richard Sunter said: "Highways have no objections to it. This is in a highly sustainable location where people live in a town centre who have little or no parking – we have people living above shops or in small flats or HMOs.

"The previous reason (for refusal) we gave for lack of parking didn’t appear in the inspector’s decision as the reason why he had dismissed the appeal. I think we would be in the same boat if we were to refuse this on lack of parking – I don’t think it would stand up on appeal."