Plans to re-develop the Courtyard at the back of Stone Library into semi-permanent market units have been submitted to Stafford Borough Council by The Crown Hotel owners.
The land in question is currently utilised for access and customer car parking for the businesses in the courtyard; however, Crown Hotel owner, Mr Virani, has submitted plans for the area to become home to market kiosks.
Croft Architecture Ltd has once again worked with the Crown Hotel owners (having previously gained planning permission on the former maltings building on Adies Alley) to develop the outline planning proposal.
Setting out the design principle, the architects state that the development will provide..:
“High-quality Semi-permanent market stalls among the existing shops are proposed, which would add vibrancy for a well-used thoroughfare. More interest while meandering through stalls will create greater opportunities to pause and purchase from stalls or local businesses.”
In terms of the scale, the development statement goes on to say:
“The area of the site is 391sqm with a potential total of stall footprint in the region of 130sqm. It is thought this would be located 3 different ones. The height of the stalls will be approx. 2.5m, significantly lower than any existing properties throughout Crown Street……”
With regards to accessing the site, they note:
“The access would be widened to allow for better pedestrian circulation and access for service vehicles to come in and out of the site. Notice has been served to the Highways Authority as the public footway will need to be altered via dropping of kerbs to allow for vehicular access.”
In terms of benefits, the architects state:
“With the proposal of this scheme, this useful thoroughfare can be a key connector to the High Street. The increase in market stalls will result in a rise in footfall within the immediate area due to careful selection of stallholding businesses. Therefore, the existing shops will also gain more attraction, increasing local economic stimulation, to benefit the town of Stone.
The scheme will benefit new start-up businesses, which can grow to new premises. Some great examples of this are Borough Market, Greenwich Market, Derby Market Hall, Jubilee Market, and many more that have been a positive addition for these places in further economic stimulation for both new and existing shops around the high street.
With the stone Food & Drink Festival and monthly Farmers Markets and existing establishments, Stone has an active food & drink culture. A year-round element of food festivity would develop this culture locally, potentially providing experimentation space for new and existing cuisines or vibrant street food offerings serving local people on the move.”
The following 3D renders have been submitted with the application to show potential layouts of the 3 proposed locations.
Further details of the plans, as well as ways to send in your own comments, can be found on the Stafford Borough Council Planning Portal – Planning Application 22/36364/OUT | Outline application – Development of semi-permanent market units (Access and Scale only) | Crown Courtyard Crown Street Stone Staffordshire
4 comments
gary robertson
ridiculous , the crown hotel owners need to sort out the eyesore that is the hotel first,pure greed.
Diane Bradley
Planning approval of the proposed units within the area of The Crown Passage (i.e. alongside the Library Building) should not even be considered until the owners of The Crown Hotel finish the
restoration of the listed building in Adies Alley. Their failure to complete these works, together with the dilapidated state of the Listed Crown Hotel is an absolute disgrace.
Alix Wilson
This is a great idea and desperately needed in Stone town. The market is should be priority when bringing life back into Stone so new additional areas like this sparks more interest and opportunities for new business so needed in Stone as we all can see many retailers closing shops due to recession & energy costs we must support its market town culture. In addition to the rear of the library being utilised as potential for market space the square I front of the library should be opened for use during every market day as it really opens up the town giving it a centre section to the market, without this the market lacks the character and space that the whole town deserves and once again draws people towards its businesses within that square instead of cutting them of with the current market placement. Can someone please raise and address this idea with the current running of the market thank you
Marilyn Rhodes
That’s one place I and many others walk through to get into the main Street apart from shop owners cars , this will not now be possible. Where will the existing shop owners park. Silly idea