Peace garden plans unveiled for university grounds

A "peace garden" is set to be created in the grounds of Keele University if plans are given the green light by Newcastle Borough Council.

The proposed landscaping works outside the university chapel include a dug out seating area, above ground seating areas and paths.

A new ramp is also planned to provide better access to the Grade II-listed chapel for people with wheelchairs and limited mobility, a heritage statement submitted as part of the planning application said. It added: "The ramp has been sympathetically designed as to have minimal contact with the existing building - even less so than the existing 2000s step arrangement.

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"Keele University Chapel, to which the application relates is situated to the centre of the estate and will form part of the network of green spaces available to the entire Keele community at the campus core. This is in response to recent student feedback requesting more green and relaxing spaces in the centre of campus and will facilitate a destination space for outdoor well-being initiatives to take place, and as a focal point to host graduation photos.

"The low gabion walling will not obstruct views to/from the chapel building or cover architectural details at low level. It will provide the proposed ‘Peace Garden’ with a private sheltered destination seating area, away from the busy pathways; and allow space for a community mosaic to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the original university college; as well as providing a sculpture by a local artist.

"Relocated architectural fragments and garden ornaments to the site are to be part of an ‘outdoor museum’ exhibition (and) will bring together these various recycled elements which are currently surplus to requirements. It will allow for the introduction of new small discreet non-illuminated QR code signage to inform users on the history of the site and these objects."

Listed below are other planning applications published online by councils in Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire during the past fortnight.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council

70931/FUL: Single storey rear extension and rear first floor balcony (retrospective) with proposed screening at Glendarren, 30 Fowlers Lane, Baddeley Edge, ST2 7NB

70917/FUL: Erection of a single storey building ancillary to multi-storey car park (retrospective) at Grindley Hill Court, Hilton Road, Hartshill, ST4 6TA

70898/FUL: Erection of decked area at Saracens Head Inn, 235 Sandon Road, Meir, ST3 7BL

70888/FUL: Single storey side and rear extension at 3 Malcolm Drive, Bucknall, ST2 8LQ

70889/FUL: Erection of detached one and a half storey residential dwelling (Use Class C3) together with new vehicular access and associated car parking on land off Fowlers Lane, Light Oaks, ST2 7NB

70886/FUL: Extension to existing vehicular access at 1757 Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 7AA

70846/VAR: Variation of condition 1 (approved plans) of 68621/RES (erection of 46 houses) to amend site layout and boundary treatments at Trentham Fields, New Inn Lane, Hanford, ST4 8EX

70827/FUL: Erection of three gates and associated fencing at alleyway between Summerbank Road, Parsonage Street and St Aidans Street, Tunstall

70817/FUL: Elevational alterations to include an extension of the existing pitched roof (retrospective) at 23 Uttoxeter Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1NY

70766/FUL: Part first floor rear extension at South View, Douglas Avenue, Oakhill, ST4 5JX

70371/FUL and 70372/LBC: Change of use of part of the ground floor and the upper floors to seven self contained apartments, including the installation of conservation type rooflights and a new side door at former NatWest Bank, Fountain Place, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3QA

Newcastle Borough Council

24/00290/FUL: Replacement of existing stepped access to existing fire escape door with proposed ramped and stepped access to the north elevation of the Grade II Listed Chapel as well as proposed external landscaping works within the same scheme including a retaining wall and 'dug out' seating area, other above ground seating areas, drainage improvements to lawn, permeable paths and soft landscaping at The Chapel, Keele University, Three Mile Lane, Keele

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

DET/2024/0014: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed portal framed agricultural storage building at Town Head Farm, Town Head, Alton, ST10 4AJ

SMD/2024/0036: Erection of a replacement dwelling at 22 West Winds, Old Road, Upper Tean, ST10 4EG

NMA/2024/0009: Application for a Non-Material Amendment in relation to application SMD/2021/0658 (new detached self-build dwelling). The applicant needs to reduce the size of the dwelling so as to move the building in from the southern site boundary at The Bungalow Caravan, Cheadle Road, Cheddleton, ST13 7DR

DOC/2024/0028: Discharge of Condiitons 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 13 in relation to application SMD/2022/0014 (proposed construction of a revised surface water outfall associated with Moneystone Park leisure development and engineering operations to infill the existing outfall structure) at Moneystone Quarry, Cheadle Road, Oakamoor, ST10 2DZ

SMD/2024/0184: Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for proposed change of use to holiday let at 37 Osborne Street, Leek, ST13 6LJ

DOC/2024/0027: Discharge of Condtions 10, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 28 in relation to application SMD/2022/0532 (variation of conditions in relation to erection of four dwellings and associated works) on land east of Sugar Street, Rushton Spencer, SK11 0SE

DOC/2024/0026: Discharge of Conditions 5, 6 in relation to application SMD/2024/0033 (retrospective application for change of use from agricultural building to residential) at Croney Bank Farm, Bagnall Road, Bagnall, ST9 9JY

SMD/2024/0183: Erection of self build dwelling including resource efficient design on land at Cookshill Hall, Roughcote Lane, Caverswall, ST11 9EG

SMD/2024/0182: Partially retrospective application for tractor and hay store at Hurston House, Hurstons Lane, Alton, ST10 4AP

SMD/2024/0179: Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for proposed roof alterations and single storey rear extension at 97 Park Lane, Knypersley, ST8 7BG

SMD/2024/0178: Proposed extension and alterations to Lemons Brook Farm, Bottom Lane, Ipstones, ST10 2LN

SMD/2024/0173: Erection of new building to cover existing farm silage clamp at Little Greenhead Farm, Broad Oak Lane, Kingsley Moor, ST10 2EJ

SMD/2024/0170: Single storey side extension at 2 Jason Court, Leek, ST13 8FB

SMD/2024/0164: Application for variation of Condition 3 in relation to SMD/2018/0546 (change of use from restaurant to hot food takeaway) at 3 The Smithfield Centre, Ashbourne Road, Leek, ST13 5JW

SMD/2024/0157: Replacement of existing plant to CO2 refrigeration plant at 65 Haywood Street, Leek, ST13 5JH

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