42m tall testing facility approved for Stafford factory

The 42 metre high HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) test lab is the tallest part of the new development proposed for the GE Grid Solutions site at Ranshaw Drive.

A 25 metre tall connect facility and 27 metre tall dispatch facility are also earmarked for the land currently occupied by a 16 metre tall office block. A report to Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee said the tallest section of the existing factory buildings reaches 26.5 metres in height.

It added: “The dispatch and connect facility have been designed to match the height of the highest part of the existing factory. The size and scale of the 42m high HVDC test lab has been determined by the size of the testing equipment and the need for electrical clearances and safe working zones.

“In an attempt to visually fragment the buildings massing, the design applies a multicolour, ‘pixelated’ pattern to the external cladding. The pixelated pattern would be graded in four grey colour tones.

“The proposed expansion of the factory would significantly increase its height, scale and mass. While the smaller ‘dispatch’ and ‘connect’ elements would have a scale similar to the existing factory, the HDVC building would far surpass the existing factory.

“The 15.5m difference between the height of the existing factory and HDVC test lab does not sound significant, however the height in combination with its footprint would create a building of substantial mass and scale. Overall, the proposal will become the dominant feature within the site; however, given the site has a well-established industrial use and functional character, viewed in isolation, the development would not adversely affect the character or appearance of the site itself.

Stafford Borough Council received 17 responses from residents on the planning application. Concerns raised included visual impact and loss of light, lack of construction traffic parking and dust, noise and debris.

The application was recommended for approval by council planning officers ahead of a special committee meeting on Tuesday (March 18).

Neil Beardsmore, who spoke in support of the application at Tuesday’s meeting, said: “The transformer factory has been there for 60 years and supplies transformers to the UK and overseas. Demand for transformers is growing as we go towards net zero and we want to meet that demand and establish a sustainable business in Stafford beyond the 60 years we have already been there.

“We have employed and trained thousands of people. We are aiming to increase the workforce by over 220 people – this will also include apprentices and trainees from the catchment area of Stafford and they will be highly-skilled.

“For the transformers we are building, technology is increasing and size is increasing. Therefore we need this test lab to test the transformers before they are delivered to sites.

“A large number of transformers are shipped overseas. You can consider yourselves proud that Stafford transformers are in all four corners of the world.”

Committee members voted unanimously to approve the application after going on a visit to the site. Councillor Scott Spencer called for a tree planting scheme to be included as part of the development to reduce the visual impact.

Councillor Gareth Jones said it would be “quite stark” for residents living in the new housing development nearby. But fellow committee member Councillor Marnie Phillips said: “The GE buildings have been there for a long time – it’s like you don’t buy a house next a school and not expect people to drop thir children off.

“We need to support it. It’s unfortunate for the residents, but from an economic and employment perspective it will bring benefits to the people of the town.”

Councillor Bryan Cross said: “I did have concerns over the height of this. But looking at the direction of the sunset the shadows will be over the car parking areas.

“This is a facility I welcome – we need high tech facilities in Stafford. If this wasn’t approved they would probably take the development elsewhere.”