Affordable homes approved for social club site

Previous plans to build a new venue and 18 homes at the Highfields Social Club site were put forward but withdrawn more than two years ago – and a second application for 20 affordable properties was refused permission in March.

A third proposal was approved however by members of Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Wednesday.

The single-storey social club is set to be demolished and a three storey building containing 10 flats will be built on the land at Barnes Road, alongside seven two-storey homes and a detached bungalow.

The proposals were called in for consideration by the planning committee by Councillor Angela Loughran. She raised concerns about the detrimental effect of the new development on neighbouring properties.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting she said: “The three-storey block of flats is my main concern. I know that it is an improvement on the first application, and they have reduced the number of units, but there is over-intensification of the site.

“I’m also not very happy about the provision of the balconies. It seems there is a fad for these balconies but people complain they can’t go out on them.”

Stafford Borough Council also received seven objections to the application.

Objectors said a replacement social club or shops would be more beneficial to the area and that the planned housing development would result in loss of privacy and increased noise and traffic.

The plans were recommended for approval by planning officers ahead of Wednesday’s meeting however. And committee members voted to accept them.

Charlotte Stainton, who spoke in support of the application, said: “The club is vacant, and despite the best efforts of the owner to secure it, it is currently unattractive and detracts from the area. This is exactly the sort of brownfield redevelopment your policies actively encourage.

“This scheme would deliver 18 affordable homes of a variety of sizes and types, including a much-needed accessible bungalow. The scheme would be constructed to a high standard by a family-run building company based in Derby and delivered by a housing association based in Stoke-on-Trent.”

Committee member Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge said: “I don’t see any issue with this at all. I know this area well and 18 affordable homes are so needed.”