Stafford Council in move to sell land

Stafford Borough Council is considering selling town centre land it owns for developers to build residential accommodation along with retail and office space.

Alistair Welch, the council's head of law and administration, has sent in an application to the planning department for proposals to build a two or three storey property on small parcel of open space in between Stafford Balti House and sports injury specialist Achilles Heel, in Mill Bank.

The initial plans are to have retail or office space on the ground floor, with residential accommodation in the space above.

In the supporting application document, it is suggested by the council that the development of the land will provide a 'buffer' between the two adjoining properties and will greatly improve the appearance of the Mill Bank area.

The land at present stands vacant and is, according to the council, is a target for vandals and general misuse.

If the plans get the go-ahead, the council say the developer would be working with a 'traditional construction' including glazing to the front and rear of the property, with a tiled roof which would be in keeping with the adjoining properties.

At the moment, the nearest residential properties are across the river which are modern style elevated apartments. No parking provision is proposed for the site.