Stafford factory demolition plans to be considered - one year after buildings were torn down

Stafford Borough councillors are set to grant permission for a former factory to be demolished to make way for a new housing development – a year after the buildings were knocked down.

The demolition of the General Electric building on the Lichfield Road was done to make way for housing

Demolition work at the General Electric/Alstom site on Lichfield Road was completed at the start of 2021.

But on Wednesday Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee will consider retrospective plans to clear the site. Permission is also being sought for works including restoration of the land and opening and realignment of a section of culvert, ahead of construction of new homes.

Developer St Modwen was granted outline permission to build up to 365 new homes on the site in October. A further consent to modify the access off Ranshaw Drive was given in December.

Forebridge councillor Chris Baron has called in the latest application because of the impact on residents of noise, vibration and dust.

And 10 residents have raised concerns including increased congestion, poor air quality and the potential impact on neighbouring houses if the culvert is diverted.

They have also said that Stafford does not need more houses and does not have the infrastructure to support them. They have suggested the site could be used as public green space instead.

A report to Wednesday’s planning committee meeting said: “A prior notification application for the demolition of the factory building was submitted in May 2020. In early June 2020 it was determined that prior approval was required for the demolition.

“The applicant subsequently submitted a prior approval application in July 2020, however this had not been determined by the time demolition was commenced in late 2020.

An illustrative layout of the proposed development of the site off Lichfield Road, Stafford, that was submitted to Stafford Council

“The enabling works include the following: Removal of all slabs, remnant foundations and obstructions, removal and infilling of basements, removal of ducting and service corridors, opening of a section of the culvert and realignment (and) turnover and reprofiling of the ground.

“The principle of redeveloping this former factory site has already been established through the resolution to approve outline permission for housing development. This proposal would facilitate the delivery of that scheme by allowing the remediation works to be carried out prior to the development of the housing.

“On this basis the proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle.”