Council chiefs have been criticised for not taking tougher action over the demolition of a Stafford store without permission.

Work began on knocking down the former B&Q warehouse at Queens Retail Park, Queensville, in August, to make way for a new Next superstore.

But Stafford Borough Council had only given planning permission for an extension and alterations, not the erection of a new building.

The council served a planning contravention notice on the site owners and developers, London-based Capital & County, in October. Planning officers investigated the breach of planning controls but councillors last week agreed to take no further action.

It is the second time a building has been knocked down on the former British Reinforced Concrete site without planning consent.

Weeping Cross resident Dave Jones said the latest developers should at least be fined for their actions.

“It is almost unbelievable that a building on that site has been demolished without permission for the second time,” he said.

Ward Councillor Ralph Cooke said not taking enforcement action made the planning department “a laughing stock”.

A spokesman for Capital & County said the firm had not believed it was going beyond its planning consent. Stafford Borough Council spokesman Will Conaghan said it was not considered worthwhile to take enforcement action over the breach of planning controls.