Plan to turn 'eyesore' building into apartments knocked back
A plan to transform an eyesore former Jobcentre in Stafford into 51 apartments has been knocked back by planning bosses.
The application by Stafford Developments Ltd for the change of use of Greyfriars House into apartments has hit a stumbling block.
Stafford Borough Council turned down the application for prior approval stating the site was listed in the documents as offices when it was in fact classed as financial and professional services. But a new application could be submitted in the coming weeks.
The authority received a number of comments backing the plans, including from Stafford Historical and Civic Society.
The society said: "I support this application, on behalf of the Stafford Historical and Civic Society. The provision of a number of residential units will satisfy a growing demand.
"My only regret is that the building was allowed to get into a poor state of semi-dereliction before the application was made; the Department for Work & Pensions should have considered a new use when they took the decision to vacate the premises, so that a new use could have been applied for and approved before the DWP left, and therefore a seamless transition to the new use could have occurred."
Another supporter labelled the building an "eyesore".
They said: "I support this development completely.
The building in its' current state is an eyesore, and attracts unwelcome people hanging around it."
Another commenter said: "Fully support this application. Not only does it get rid of a trouble spot, it creates vital new apartments for people within Stafford.
"Having more residents located within the Greyfriars strip, should also deter crime from happening down that road as they'll be an increase in footfall from people going to and from their apartments."
Stafford’s Jobcentre Plus branch is now in St Chad’s Place in the town centre.
In the documents a council officer says: "The application site is a building on the western side of Greyfriars (A34) which was formerly occupied by Jobcentre Plus. the council holds no evidence to suggest that the building has been used for any other purpose since the closure of this service.
"It is not considered that Jobcentre Plus is an office use."
