Plans to demolish old pub and build petrol station on A34 roundabout in Stone rejected

The Darlaston Inn and Wacky Warehouse indoor play centre on the A34 north of Stone have been shut for a number of years and a previous bid to build a KFC and petrol station on the site were turned down in 2019, with an appeal being dismissed the following year.

The latest plans to bring the site north of Stone back into use did not include a KFC but did propose a convenience store and hot food as well as electric vehicle charging points. They were recommended for refusal by officers at Stafford Borough Council but called in for consideration by the planning committee by a local member.

The county’s highways authority objected to the application because of concerns the development would lead to more pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road to reach the roundabout, as well as more vehicles accessing and leaving the site, both of which could lead to increased danger.

But Councillor James Nixon questioned this, saying the Darlaston Inn was “historically a well-attended pub”. He added that the site on the A34 had fallen into a poor state and needed to be brought back into use.

Speaking at Wednesday’s planning committee meeting he told fellow councillors: “What does the council see happening with the old Darlaston Inn site should we not go ahead with this proposal? It’s been vacant for a number of years now and fallen into a significant state of disrepair which routinely attracts vandals and antisocial behaviour, which requires police to make regular visits to the site to disperse them.

“It’s an empty premises which remains an eyesore. Having rejected one proposal, despite it previously being a pub which had car access to and from it, why should we reject it?

“This proposal should be seen in a positive light, creating employment opportunities for what has become a dilapidated site. It provides much-needed infrastructure which supports the green agenda with the implementation of some electric charging points, something that Stone currently severely lacks at present.”

Alistair Flatman, who also spoke in support of the application, said: “We’re very disappointed with the recommendation. There are very clear planning grounds to support this application, with the scheme before you being materially different to that dismissed previously at appeal.

“The previous scheme included a drive-through restaurant; it was this element that was the main attractor of pedestrian movements which gave rise to the inspector’s concerns. Furthermore, the highways authority highlighted a specific concern the fast food drive through could attract unaccompanied teenagers to the site.

“The drive-through element is now removed and we are simply seeking a new petrol station and associated EV (electric vehicle) chargers. The evidence shows this proposal will actually reduce the risk to pedestrians by replacing the existing lawful use that would generate a greater number of unsafe pedestrian movements; put simply the use of the pub and indoor children’s play area generates more pedestrian movements than the current scheme proposed.”

But Councillor Roy James, who also represents the Swynnerton and Oulton ward alongside Councillor Nixon, did not support the application at Wednesday’s meeting. He said: “There are a lot of people who do not want this application to go through.

“The residents feel that if it’s 24/7 or nine to five the excess traffic and the noise will be unbearable. There’s another concern that any run-off from this site into the river will be detrimental to the environment.”

Committee member Andy Cooper called for the application to be passed on condition that improvements to pedestrian site access be considered. He said: “I think back to the traffic that used to go to the existing pub.

“I imagine local people wanted to get to that pub as well. I’m not quite sure that argument holds that it is drastically different.”

But five fellow committee members voted to refuse permission, meaning the application was rejected. There was one abstention and two votes in favour of the plans however.

Councillor Jill Hood highlighted the number of petrol stations and venues selling hot food already located in the Stone area. She said: “Maybe it would have an impact on the economy and draw footfall away from the town.

“I feel most strongly we should uphold the officers’ decision for refusal on the grounds of safety. It’s a treacherous place to be, the acceleration is immense once you come off the A34 to go around the roundabout and you automatically begin to accelerate which would be right on the entrance to it.”

Councillor Aidan Godfrey said: “The island’s a mess – we all drive past it regularly and know about it. We also know it is a reasonably high speed roundabout and with the thought of someone dashing across the road trying to get to the facility I see the objections.”