Plans to create new flats and shop unit in Stafford town centre return and this week’s other applications

Stafford Borough Council planning officers refused to grant permission for seven flats and a shop unit at Eastgate Street in January 2024 because the proposal’s frontage design was not considered appropriate for the Stafford Conservation Area.

The rear element of the proposed development also raised concerns about its impact on the Conservation Area due to “excessive scale, massing and incongruous form”. And a proposed third floor verandah “would diminish existing levels of residential privacy to a degree which is harmful”, planning officers said.

New proposals have now come forward for the site. A design and access statement submitted as part of the latest application stated that discussions had taken place with the council’s conservation officer, design advisor and a planning officer to find a solution to the concerns raised.

It added: “To address the design-orientated concerns the flats have been reduced to six in total, the front elevation parapet has been removed, traditional stone heads introduced, and a traditional shop front has been added. To the rear the parapets have been removed and the height across the section has been reduced considerably.

“Traditional tiled pitch roofs have been added and the roof terrace omitted completely to remove any potential overlooking issues. The proposed scheme does not seek to maximise and over-develop the site but provide spacious apartments in line with National Space Standards.

“The intention is to provide a front façade facing Eastgate Street, which respects the heritage of the area using sympathetic features that befits the existing streetscene. The shop frontage has been reduced and set back to provide ambulant access to the retail unit.

“Due to its location within the town centre, cars will not be provided with parking, and residents will be encouraged to walk or cycle. Its close access to the transport network supports the encouragement of utilising public transport.”

The new plans have already received support from two borough residents. One said: “With the fall of the High Street, surely updating buildings to be fit for purpose is a positive and required to move with the time.

“Additionally, surrounding buildings are higher so won’t become an eye sore. Stafford high street needs some investment.”

Below are other planning applications published or validated by Staffordshire councils in recent days:

Stafford Borough Council

25/40149/LDCPP: Lawful Development Certificate – Proposed kitchen extension incorporating the replacement of existing conservatory at 65 Bernard Grove, Meir Heath, ST3 7NZ

25/40124/POTH: Solar PV installation is to be conducted on the roof area specified within the attached layouts. The system size will be 150kWp with a total panel count of 300 x 500Wp. The planned system will use a trapazodial fixture mechanism. The installation will not exceed 0.2m in height from the existing plane of the roof. The panels will be fitted flush to the roof. The respective planned layouts can be reviewed within the attachments supplied at Unit 2, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Tollgate Drive, Beaconside, Stafford, ST16 3HS

24/40068/NDEM: Demolition of former four storey office block, with flat roof, brick walls and timber windows at GE Grid Solutions, Ranshaw Drive, Stafford, ST17 4FD

24/40065/HOU: Extensions and alterations, to include the provision of link between dwelling and existing garage at Tree Tops, Newcastle Road, Knowl Wall, ST4 8SE

24/40005/HOU: Extension over existing garage to create extension to existing bedroom, garage conversion into office space and single storey rear extension at 38 Thomas Avenue, Stone, ST15 8FG

24/40011/LDCPP: Lawful Development Certificate – Proposed single-storey side extension and single-storey rear extension at Barnfields Farm, Old Road, Oulton Heath, ST15 8US

24/40010/LDCPP: Construction of extension at 6 Mount Pleasant Close, Aston Lodge, Stone, ST15 8QJ

24/39947/TWT: TPO 47 1976: Copper Beech – Crown lift up to 2m, lateral reduction by up to 2m and up to 30% thin at Oak Villa, 10 Stafford Road, Eccleshall, ST21 6JP

24/39910/FUL: Demolition of existing building and rear workshop and construction of proposed new apartment block at 30 Eastgate Street, Stafford

24/39272/FUL: Agricultural machinery and produce storage building (inclusive of muck midden and access track) at Moss Cottage, Balaams Lane, Moss Gate, Stone, ST15 8RH

East Staffordshire Borough Council

P/2024/01152: Change of use of land for the siting of up to 24 holiday let lodges at Barton Marina, Barton Turn, Barton under Needwood, DE13 8DZ

P/2024/01228: Change of use of the ground floor to shop and offices and first floor to offices and two flats, new openings on the side and rear elevations and external staircase to side elevation at 155 High Street, Burton, DE14 1JE

P/2024/01270: Electrification of depot to include the installation of roof mounted solar panels, erection of three raised gantries to support solar panels including gantry mounted EV charging points, installation of ground mounted EV charging points, installation of a transformer, GRP feeder panel, GRP CTmetering unit and battery storage facility including connection to electricity network at Diamond Bus Depot, Wetmore Road, Burton, DE14 1QL

P/2024/01304: Replacement of single glazed casements windows with double glazed casements windows on the first and second floors at 9-10 Market Place, Burton, DE14 1HA

P/2024/01120: Overall crown reduction by 1.5 metres and removal of epicormic growth from the base of one Yew tree (T1 of TPO – Tree Preservation Order – 204) at Shrewsbury Arms Public House, Uttoxeter Road, Kingstone, ST14 8QH

P/2024/01314: Crown lift by three metres and crown thinning by 20% of one Cherry tree (TPO 278) at Overbrook, Wallash, Mayfield, DE6 2JZ

P/2024/01216: Partially demolish an existing brick built 2m high boundary wall by five courses of bricks and erect a trellis fence along the length of the wall back to a 2m height. Remove the soil banked up against the wall and replace with gravel to improve drainage and reduce the pressure against the wall and repair, replace and repoint remaining brickwork as necessary at Boundary Wall, Alders Reach, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9BB

P/2024/01300: Erection of part two storey side and single storey front and rear extension at 114 Station Road, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9AB

P/2024/01365: Erection of a double garage to the front of the existing dwelling at 10 Tutbury Road Rural, Burton, DE13 0AL

P/2024/01257: Erection of a side extension, demolition of existing conservatory to facilitate the erection of an extension to the front elevation and external alterations at 59 Church Road, Stretton, DE13 0HE

P/2025/00030: Reduce in height by up to 4m and width by up to 2m one Lime tree (T4), crown raise by removal of lowest branches over garden and pavement and remove deadwood one Horse Chestnut tree (T5) (TPO 9) at The Hawthorns, 43 Monk Street, Tutbury, DE13 9NA

P/2024/01294: Pollard six Sycamore trees back to previous pollard points at 127 Station Street, Burton, DE14 1BX

P/2025/00007: Fell to ground level one Hinoki Cypress tree at 24 Station Road, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9AA

P/2025/00008: Reduce a group of Cypress trees in height by up to 3m to create a level line with previously reduced end Cypress (G1), reduced back to original points of cutting by approx 3m of regrowth two London Plane trees (T1 and T3), fell to ground level one, London Plane tree (T2) at The Hawthorns, 43 Monk Street, Tutbury, DE13 9NA

P/2025/00012: Reduce by up to 2m and shape the canopy of one Weeping Beech tree (T1), reduce by up to 3m one Conifer tree (T2), reduce by approximately 5m down to the upper union one Swamp Cypress tree (T3) at Swarbourn, Victoria Street, Yoxall, DE13 8NG

P/2025/00013: Fell to ground level one Magnolia tree (T1) at Home Orchard, Victoria Street, Yoxall, DE13 8NG

Cannock Chase District Council

CH/25/0012: Proposed single storey rear extension at 82 Hatherton Road, Cannock, WS11 1HH

CH/25/0015: Retrospective application for the erection of an outbuilding at 29 Poplar Lane, Cannock, WS11 1NQ

CH/25/0014: Side second storey extension above an existing garage at 14 Church Street, Rugeley, WS15 2AB

CH/25/0007: Single storey infill extension to provide additional bedroom with en-suite shower room at 56 View Street, Pye Green, Cannock, WS12 4JQ

CH/25/0010: Change of use of an existing dwelling into two flats at 39 Market Street, Rugeley, WS15 2JH

South Staffordshire District Council

25/00038/FULHH: Single storey side and rear extensions to house and garage at 11 Elder Avenue, Essington, WV11 2SG

25/00039/TTREE: TPO 192/2000. Quercus Robur – dismantle and remove (opposite 5 Oaktree Rise Codsall). The tree will be left at 4m above ground level for habitat on land at Oaktree Rise, Codsall

25/00034/TREE: Wombourne Conservation Area. Lawson Cypress trees identified as G1 on plan provided – dismantle and remove at Wombourne Parish Council Offices, Civic Centre, Gravel Hill, Wombourne, WV5 9HA

25/00031/FULHH: Second storey rear extension and first floor side extension at 12 Wood Lane, Wedges Mills, WS11 1TA

25/00028/FULHH: Two storey side extension at 4 Holme Rise, Penkridge, ST19 5EL

25/00030/TTREE: TPO 38/1979. Silver Birch – dismantle and remove at Donegal, Lawnswood Road, Lawnswood, DY7 5QL

25/00029/TTREE: TPO 31/1968 – Dismantle and remove trees 2, 3 and 5 as numbered on the aerial location plan provided at The Shrubbery Rest Home, 126 Wood Road, Codsall, WV8 1DW

24/00437/AMEND: Add a mono pitched roof to the front elevation and small window to upstairs bathroom at 13 Elms Lane, Shareshill, WV10 7JS

25/00020/TTREE: TPO 7.1961: Works as identified in Great Moore Trees site tree risk survey 2024/25, schedule and location plan. Elm – Dismantle and remove, Sycamore -cut back to clear highway lamp, Ash – dismantle and remove, Field Maple – crown lift by up to 2m at Foley Infants School, Fairfield Drive, Kinver, DY7 6EW

25/00026/FULHH: Two storey rear extension and replacement garage with dormer over at 20 Church Road, Shareshill, WV10 7JR

23/00178/AMEND2: Materials plan – re windows and doors on land at White Hill, Kinver, DY7 6AN

25/00023/TTREE: Tree Preservation Order 31/1968 – Trees as referenced on Location Plan submitted 13.01.2025 T1 – Sycamore -Crown reduce by 2-3m, paying particular attention to the overhang from neighbouring side and over the garden. T2 – Beech – Reduce branches overhanging garden by 2-3m at 60 Bakers Gardens, Codsall, WV8 1HA

25/00022/TTREE: Tree Preservation Order 19/1965 – T1 (as referenced on Location Plan submitted 13.01.2025), Yew – Cut back new growth from side back to boundary line at 3 Enville Road, Kinver, DY7 6AB

25/00021/FUL: Change from warden controlled sheltered accommodation to a care home (Use Class C2) at Abbeyfield House, Windsor Gardens, Codsall, WV8 2EX

25/00017/FULHH: Proposed boundary fence and new sliding gates at 1 Lime Tree Gardens, Bilbrook, WV8 1NR

25/00014/FUL: Conversion of existing dwelling into three self contained apartments at 15 Hut Hill Lane, Great Wyrley, WS6 6PD

25/00008/COU: Change of use of two-storey flat to hairdresser salon at Flat 2 Spar Stores, School Road, Wheaton Aston, ST19 9NH

24/01102/FULM: Temporary development of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with ancillary infrastructure to provide balancing services to the electricity grid on land at Lower Penn, WV4 4UQ

24/01089/LUP: Proposed double storey rear extension Proposed single storey side extension Proposed outhouse at Keepers Coppice, Showell Lane, Lower Penn, WV4 4TU

24/01088/FULM: Erection of 89 dwellings (Use Class C3) including affordable housing, new vehicular access, open space, children’s play area and associated infrastructure on land off Pool House Road, Wombourne

Lichfield District Council

25/00053/FUH: Addition of new skylights, windows and doors, rebuilding of two existing single storey extensions at 53A Tamworth Road, Lichfield, WS14 9HG

25/00050/FUH: Replacement of four windows at 27 Cotton Close, Alrewas, DE13 7BF

25/00048/FUH: Single storey rear extension at 2 Willow Tree Close, Lichfield, WS13 7NX

25/00043/FUL: Variation of Condition 6 of planning permission 22/00522/FUL (erection of replacement stable block) to allow private and domestic equestrian use of land by non-residents of Standerton on land north of Camp Road, Sutton Coldfield

25/00041/FUH: Erection of a single storey side extension at 16 Chatterton Avenue, Lichfield, WS13 8EF

25/00038/COU: Conversion of existing milking shed into a single dwelling and associated works at Colton Mill Farm, Blithbury Road, Colton, WS15 3HQ

25/00030/FUH: Erection of a single storey rear extension with internal changes and installation of a dropped kerb, demolition of existing garage, conservatory and two storey side extension (resubmission of 24/00885/FUH) at 23 Stockhay Lane, Hammerwich, Burntwood, WS7 0JE

25/00034/FUH: Single storey side extension to form bedroom and living area – similar extension to this property previously approved under ref 04/00331/FUL at 37 Giles Road, Lichfield, WS13 7JY

25/00029/FUH: Ground floor and side extensions at 30 Johnson Close, Lichfield, WS13 6AW

25/00067/FUH: Conversion and extension of existing garage to form dwelling (annexe to existing dwelling) at Pool Farm, Newlands Lane, Stockwell Heath, WS15 3LZ

25/00060/FUL: Demolition of existing glasshouses and structures, and construction of new commercial properties, parking, landscaping and associated works at The Plant Plot, Stafford Road, Lichfield, WS13 8JA

25/00039/FUH: Erection of single storey rear and front extensions and two side extensions, conversion of garage and alterations to roof at 20 Beecroft Avenue, Lichfield, WS13 7EZ

24/01348/ADV: Installation of various illuminated and non-illuminated signs and nine flood lights at Crown Inn, 24 The Green, Handsacre, WS15 4DT

Tamworth Borough Council

0011/2025: Removal of a robinia tree within a conservation area at Taxi Rank, Corporation Street, Tamworth, B79 7DN

0009/2025: Erection of a first floor rear extension at 30 Church Road, Dosthill, Tamworth, B77 1LU

0008/2025: Erection of a first floor side and a two storey rear extension at 14 Brambling, Wilnecote, Tamworth, B77 5PQ

0007/2025: Erection of a single storey garage, bin store and installation of a boundary wall and a dropped kerb at 6 Longleat, Tamworth, B79 7US