Demolition plans for Stafford’s former Wilko store among this week’s planning applications

Stafford Borough Council acquired the Broad Street shop, which has been vacant since 2024, last year.

Now the authority has submitted plans to demolish the building, as well as the nearby Shopmobility site. The application form stated: “Demolition of the existing structures will enable the site to be brought forward for development contributing to the regeneration and redevelopment of Stafford Town Centre.”

A site notice stated that demolition was proposed to take place “on or as soon as 30 March 2026″. The work is expected to take just over three months to complete.

Wilko shut in 2023 as part of shop closures across the country. The unit reopened just weeks later as a Poundland branch after being snapped up by Pepco, but this store closed the following year.

The town centre’s former Co-op Department Store and Guildhall Shopping Centre have already been demolished as part of Stafford Borough Council’s ambitious town centre regeneration plans. Stafford Borough Council was awarded £14.3m by the Government in 2020 to help fund the project and the sites are earmarked for future commercial, retail and residential use.

Demolition costs for the former shopping centre and department costs came in lower than estimated. This meant there was money available from the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) to purchase the former Wilko store and 10-12 Gaolgate Street, two retail units attached to the former Co-op Department Store.

The council’s deputy leader Rob Kenney, who has responsibility for town centres, said last year: “This has created a larger footprint for the transformation of the town centre which will prove to be another draw for major investors.

“Unfortunately, these buildings would have likely remained empty without council intervention and investors have praised us for taking the initiative by acquiring these sites and undertaking the appropriate groundwork that will attract developers to invest in Stafford. This work has not only generated interest in these sites but in Stafford town centre generally.”

Below are other planning applications published or validated by Staffordshire councils in recent days

Stafford Borough Council

• 26/41892/NOTH: Installtion of an H pole and single pole on land off Meece Road, Cold Meece

• 26/41853/LDCPP: Single storey rear extension at The Coppins, 38 Diamond Ridge, Barlaston, ST12 9DT

• 26/41837/NDEM: Prior Notification – Demolition of the structures known as the former Wilkinson’s and Shopmobility at Wilkinson, Broad Street, Stafford, ST16 2DB

• 26/41731/REM: Reserved matters (access, layout, appearance, scale and landscaping) associated with Phases 3A and 3B and school site infrastructure pursuant to condition 1 attached to outline planning permission 24/39597/FUL (variation of conditions 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 19 and 26 on application 16/25450/OUT – mixed-use development, comprising of the demolition of existing buildings and structures, the erection of up to 2,000 dwellings, two local centres to provide up to 4,500 sqm of GIA, one health centre, one elderly living facility, a two form entry primary school, a five form entry secondary school, together with supporting infrastructure including green infrastructure, highways and associated works) on land north of Beaconside, Stafford

• 26/41705/HOU: Single storey rear extension and partial infill side extension at 87 Sergeant Way, Stafford, ST17 0WE

• 26/41685/HOU: Demolish existing garage. Remove chimney. Two storey side extension at 120A Church Street, Stone, ST15 8BW

East Staffordshire Borough Council

• P/2026/00166:Refurbishment of existing pitches, removal of spoil from pitches to existing grassland bund and relocation of trees to new grassland bund at St George’s Park, Newborough Road, Needwood, DE13 9PD

• P/2026/00171: Erection of free standing portal framed agricultural canopies with open sides covering the collecting yard and small area of the feed pad at Castle Hayes Park, Castle Hayes Lane, Tutbury, DE13 9HL

• P/2026/00175: Height reduction of upper canopy by up to 2m or to nearest suitable growth points to alleviate loading at point of inclusion, prune lateral branches to achieve 0.5m clearance of five BT cables, reduce end weight of compressed unions formed on lower lateral branches extending towards driveway by up to 1.5m of one Beech tree (T1 TPO – Tree Preservation Order – 478) at Crofts Barn, School House Lane, Abbots Bromley, WS15 3BT

• P/2026/00157: Retention of single storey detached double garage at The Old Cottage, Uttoxeter Road, Abbots Bromley, WS15 3EH

• P/2026/00174: Erection of a single storey rear extension at 38 Shobnall Street, Burton, DE14 2HH

• P/2026/00160: Remodelling of existing dwelling including installation of two side dormer windows and roof lights, demolition of rear conservatory to facilitate the erection of two storey rear and part first floor side extensions, erection of canopy to front elevation, repositioning of chimneys, installation of flue and alterations to fenestrations on all elevations, new replacement roof (increasing the height) at April Cottage, 1 Brizlincote Lane, Burton, DE15 0PR

• P/2026/00163: Construction of outdoor artificial sports pitch and cricket strip including six 15m high floodlights, 1.2m and 4.5m high perimeter fencing, installation of storage container, associated groundworks and formation of new pathway at De Ferrers Academy, Harehedge Lane, Burton, DE13 0AS

• P/2026/00162: Change of use to residential curtilage and retention of hardstanding at The Lodge, 4 Lodge Hill, Tutbury, DE13 9HF

• P/2026/00169: Erection of a two storey side, single storey rear extension with roof lantern and demolition of existing garage to facilitate the erection of a single storey ground floor front and side extension, erection of porch and canopy, installation of first floor side facing windows, alterations to existing rooflights, alterations to existing fenestration and render to all elevations at 81 Field Lane, Burton, DE13 0NJ

• P/2026/00172: Demolition of existing garage to facilitate the erection of a single storey side/rear extension with rooflights and a chimney to the north elevation at Walnut View, Uttoxeter Road, Kingstone, ST14 8QH

• P/2026/00173: Change of use from a dwelling house (C3) to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) (C4) to accommodate up to four residents and the erection of a secure bicycle store at 130 Bearwood Hill Road, Winshill, Burton, DE15 0JW

• P/2026/00176: Erection of a part two storey part single storey rear extension and installation of a first floor side window at 117 Blackpool Street, Burton, DE14 3AU

• P/2026/00158: Continued use of multi-use games area and four 8m high floodlights at Abbots Bromley Cricket Club, Lichfield Road, Abbots Bromley

• P/2026/00165: Erection of a single-storey rear extension, alterations to existing garage including the erection of a pitched roof and a new external wall, erection of a new pitched roof canopy along the front elevation to facilitate loft conversion, alterations to the fenestration, installation of rooflights and alterations to existing roof at 1 Walford Road, Rolleston on Dove, DE13 9AP

• P/2026/00161: Demolition of existing gatehouse to facilitate the erection of a replacement gatehouse at Boots Distribution Centre, Seventh Avenue, Burton, DE14 2WA

• P/2026/00167: Change of use of land to use as residential caravan site for six gypsy families, each with two caravans including no more than one static caravan/mobile home, laying of hardstanding and erection of six ancillary amenity buildings, septic tanks, associated boundary treatment and retention of water treatment system and brick housing at Craythorne Manor, Craythorne Road, Stretton

Cannock Chase District Council

• CH/26/063: Retrospective application for partial change of use to use class Sui Generis (Takeaway) at Peter Rosa Retail Centre, 173 Walsall Road, Cannock, WS11 0JH

• CH/26/064: Installation of dropped kerb and permeable block paving at 206 Cannock Road, Heath Hayes, Cannock, WS12 3HF

• CH/26/013: Single storey side/rear extension at 11 Stevens Drive, Hednesford, WS12 1QY

• CH/26/062: Two storey rear extension, single storey side extensions and new porch at 26 Post Office Lane, Slitting Mill, Rugeley, WS15 2UP

• CH/26/061: Prior approval application for the erection of a single storey rear extension with a maximum depth of 4.5m, maximum height of 3m and maximum eaves height of 3m at 66 Sweetbriar Way, Heath Hayes, Cannock, WS12 2US

South Staffordshire District Council

• 26/00192/FULHH: Single-storey rear extension at Carisbrooke, Wolverhampton Road, Penkridge, ST19 5AQ

• 26/00191/TTREE: TPO 20/1965: Sweet Chestnut – dismantle and remove at 2 Chantry Road, New Wood, DY7 6SA

• 26/00190/TTREE: TPO 37/1980: Sweet Chestnut – dismantle and remove at Capulet House, Lawnswood Road, Lawnswood, DY7 5QP

• 25/00372/COND: Discharge of conditions 3 – construction management plan – and condition 5 – fire safety precautions of 25/00372/FUL (construction and operation of a micro energy storage project) at Unit 4E Station Road, Four Ashes, WV10 7BD

• 26/00185/FULHH: Raise existing roof, re-face cottage with new brickwork, two storey rear and side extensions, oak framed porch and erection of detached garage/store at Chase View Cottage, Acton Hill Road, Acton Trussell, ST17 0RY

• 26/00187/FULHH: Dropped kerb to Stafford Road at 115 Stafford Road, Huntington, WS12 4NA

• 23/00723/COND: Discharge of condition 3 (external surface materials) for 23/00723/FUL (erection of an agricultural building for storage of conserved forage crops and machinery) at Finnley Barns, Church Road, Swindon, DY3 4PG

• 26/00184/FUL: Retrospective application for siting an InPost Parcel Locker at Lifestyle Express Doal Food And News, Long Street, Wheaton Aston, ST19 9NF

• 26/00180/FULHH: Single-storey side extension and extended front canopy at 85 Meddins Lane, Kinver, DY7 6DD

• 26/00175/FULHH: Consolidation of two entrances into one shared driveway with new gates at Westbeech Manor, Nurton Hill Road, Pattingham, WV6 7HG

• 26/00126/COU: Change of use from Class E (office) to Class F1 (education use at Security House, Littleton Drive, Huntington, WS12 4TS

• 26/00107/ADV: Erection of illuminated and non-illuminated signs to the exterior of the building and redecoration of the exterior wall. Sign A – two new pictorial signs, one with new boot and gibbet fixed to one existing post and one new post and hangman bracket with new linolites. Sign B – one new post mounted car park directional. Sign C – one new signwritten anchor symbol. Sign D – four new brass lanterns. Sign E – one new signwritten housename to riverside. Sign F – one new muddy boots sign at Mitchells and Butlers The Anchor Inn, Brewood Road, Cross Green, WV10 7PW

• 25/01118/OUT: Outline planning application for the demolition of existing commercial buildings (Use Class B8) and the residential development of nine dwellings (Use Class C3), with access, layout, and scale submitted for consideration at 72 Feiashill Road, Trysull, WV5 7HT

Lichfield District Council

• 26/00250/COU: Change of use of property from a larger HMO to a small scale children’s home at 79 Wellfield Road, Alrewas, DE13 7EZ

• 26/00248/FUH: Erection of a first floor side extension with new roof over porch at 25 Lebanon Grove, Burntwood, WS7 2BE

• 26/00237/CLP: Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed): Erection of one outbuilding to the side and rear of the property (resubmission of 25/00510/CLP) at The Cottage, Cartersfield Lane, Stonnall, WS9 9EQ

• 26/00239/FUH: Two storey side extension with hipped roof to match existing, to create a larger downstairs utility area and shower room, plus additional bedroom and ensuite at 54 Redlock Field, Lichfield, WS14 0AB

• 26/00236/OUTMEI: Outline application (with all matters reserved except access onto Highfields Road) for up to 430 homes (Use Class C3), public open space, pedestrian and cycle links, play area, drainage, landscaping, and all other associated works including demolition of existing farm buildings on land south of Highfields Road, Chasetown, Burntwood

• 26/00241/FUH: Single storey front extension at 17 Crane Drive, Burntwood, WS7 4SW

• 26/00233/FUH: Installation of a side entrance door and pitched roof canopy, plus Georgian style railings and gate to the front elevation at 12 Packington Hall, Lady Walk, Packington, WS14 9HJ

• 26/00225/CLP: Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed): Garage conversion and new porch at 5 Willow Avenue, Burntwood, WS7 0HD

• 26/00231/FUH: Single storey rear extension at 7 Coltman Close, Lichfield, WS14 9YS

• 26/00230/FUL: Creation of temporary construction access point off Common Lane on land off Horner Avenue, Fradley

• 26/00208/FUL: Operational development associated with Class R application for the reinstatement of existing window openings, repair and upgrading of the roof, formation of new infill to the gable opening and other associated works at barn at Home Farm, Thorpe Lane, Tamworth, B79 0LH

• 26/00194/PNH: Prior Notification: Single storey rear extension projecting 4.05m from the rear wall of the original dwelling and reaching a maximum height of 4.12m and eaves height of 2.25m at 22 George Avenue, Mile Oak, Tamworth, B78 3PN

• 26/00214/FUH: Erection of bedroom and ensuite over garage at 12 New Road, Shenstone, WS14 0NQ

• 26/00175/PNC: Prior Notification (Commercial): Change of use of land to allow storage of touring caravans at Home Farm, Brickhouse Lane, Elford, Tamworth, B79 9DE

• 26/00145/FUH: Erection of a two storey rear and side extension and alterations to entrance area at 56 New Road, Armitage, WS15 4BJ

Tamworth Borough Council

• 0052/2026: Works to TPO 3 1976 T17 Ash tree at 12 Dunster, Dosthill, Tamworth, B77 1JT

• 0051/2026: Single storey side extension to existing detached garage at 2 Grindsbrook, Stonydelph, Tamworth, B77 4BW

• 0050/2026: Discharge of condition 6 (travel plan) of 0337/2020 (construction of new two-storey office building with associated multi-storey car park) at Sandy Hill Business Park, Sandy Way, Amington Industrial Estate, Tamworth, B77 4DU