Housing estate decision delayed as town's link to shoemaking to be lost forever

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Councillors have delayed their decision on plans to demolish Stone's last link to its shoemaking heritage after questions were asked about whether part of the historic building could be retained and used in a proposed housing development. Concerns were also raised about flooding mitigation measures and future use of developer funds to provide much-needed sporting facilities in the area if the plans to build new housing on the Stonefield Works site went ahead.

The application, which sought outline permission for demolition of existing buildings and residential redevelopment of the site to provide up to 114 homes, was recommended for approval by planning officers at Stafford Borough Council. But planning committee members decided to defer their decision at their meeting so that further information could come forward in relation to the issues they raised.

Stonefield Works was a factory site for shoe firm Lotus until the 1970s when it was acquired by ABB. Outline planning permission was previously granted for residential development at the Oulton Road site in 2007, but a further detailed application never came forward and the consent lapsed.

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In 2020 Hitachi and ABBs Power Grids’ business came together to create Hitachi Energy UK Limited, which submitted a new application for redevelopment of the site. Ward councillor and Stone historian Philip Leason called in the application for consideration by the planning committee.

One letter of support was submitted to the council, backing plans to use the site for housing. But the authority also received 117 objections, with concerns including increased traffic on already congested town roads, impact on services such as GP surgeries and loss of part of Stone's heritage.

Councillor Leason said the former Lotus Building was regarded as a non-designated heritage asset of Stone and should be retained.

He added: "It's the last link with the shoemaking industry in town. I would stress I'm only referring to the building on Longton Road and not the buildings at the rear. There are no objections to this part of the site being demolished.

"The frontage of a sister building - another Lotus factory of the same design - in Banbridge in Northern Ireland has successfully been converted into residential apartments. There is demand for apartments in Stone.

"Many people see them as a way of downsizing, particularly as there is a lack of bungalows in Stone. The popularity of such apartments is reflected in conversion of the old police station and a new block in Station Road which sold extremely quickly."

Tim Evans, who spoke in support of the application, said the option of retaining part of the existing historic factory building for residential use had been considered however.

He added: "We have provided the council with robust evidence of why this is not possible. Securing planning permission for the redevelopment of Stonefield Works is critical for helping Hitachi fund its proposal to relocate to new purpose-built premises at Beacon Park in Stafford. Those premises will be better suited to current operational need while allowing for retention of the business in the borough.

"This application has been with the planning authority for 28 months and the proposals have changed materially since submission. Officers and consultees are now satisfied that the proposals would not give rise to any adverse technical or environmental impacts.

"The highway authority has confirmed that the development would benefit from satisfactory means of access and it wouldn't prejudice highway safety or substantially increase traffic levels above those associated with the existing use of the site. The responses from the LLFA (lead local flood authority) and Severn Trent Water confirm that the site could be satisfactorily drained and would not increase the risk of flooding in the locality.

"The proposal allows for the retention and enhancement of existing green corridors at the development between (Longton) Road and Oulton Road, Whilst we appreciate Stonefield Works is valued by local people and there is a desire to see the factory building retained, Historic England has confirmed the building does not have significant heritage value."

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