A planning application for a 31-apartment retirement complex at Crown Wharf in Stone has been submitted to Stafford Borough Council.
The scheme by McCarthy & Stone would deliver 31 retirement living apartments in a “three-and-a-half storey” development off Crown Street, right next door to Canal Cruising Company.
The proposed development would consist of 10 one-bed and 21 two-bed apartments, with 24 car parking spaces. Communal spaces would include a residents’ lounge, office, guest suite, refuse store, internal battery car charging room, landscaped gardens and seating area.
The Wharfinger’s Cottage, an important building of historic interest on the site, would be retained as part of the proposal. It is to be extensively repaired and converted into one ground-floor residential unit with first-floor guest suite above.
McCarthy & Stone held a public consultation in the town back in July 2014 and there was fierce criticism of their plans. McCarthy and Stone say changes have been – for instance, the entrance block of the complex has been reduced in height. They have issued a press release setting out the benefits as they see them of the development.
Town councillor Rob Kenney has urged local people to object to the plans.
He said: “Crown Wharf is the only direction that our town centre/High Street can expand and it is vital that people object to this development. If the Wharf is lost to this type of development it will confine Stone town centre to its existing layout forever.
“This proposed four-storey development would create a high-rise corridor along the canal and Crown Street.
“Fortunately, the town centre boundary was expanded to include the Wharf when the Plan for Stafford Borough was adopted in June 2014. The Wharf would be better developed with the mind of expanding the town centre and attracting visitors to the town. The Wharfingers cottages would make the ideal place for a heritage museum, something that Stone desperately lacks. The rest of the area could be developed to enhance our town and its tourism. Some parking should also be retained. Part of Stone’s canal history lies within this area. I will – and I hope my fellow councillors will be too – objecting to this planning application. I also urge members of the public to object.”
[button color=”red” size=”medium” link=”https://www12.staffordbc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NWU1DBPS00O00″ ]Click here to comment on the planning application[/button]
[box type=”info” ]McCarthy & Stone built a retirement complex just down the canal off Crown Street in 2007, called Joules Court.
Crown Wharf is owned by the Canal and River Trust and rented to Stone Town Council for use as a car park. It will be sold to McCarthy & Stone if they get planning permission for the retirement complex.
Stone Town Council raised £100,000 in 2009 through a one-off increase in council tax in an attempt to buy Crown Wharf for use as a new community centre for the town. That plan floundered. Crown Wharf was also included in an extended Stone town centre boundary in the Stafford Borough Local Plan that was adopted by the borough council in 2014, putting it in line as a possible site for mixed-use development of leisure and retail.
The sale of the land to McCarthy & Stone seems to have put a halt to that possibility, and thrown open the issue of car parking spaces in the town.[/box]
“A total waste”
Roger and Teresa Fuller own a nationally renowned boatyard near Whitebridge industrial estate.
[box type=”shadow” ]Teresa told us: “This is the prime unused site in Stone town centre that should be used to benefit the town, the canal and the community. The use of this site for apartments is a total waste of this historic location. The site would be better used as a tourist attraction. It is in the Local Plan for mixed development, including leisure. Other towns make their canal a focal point for the community and visitors to enjoy. Let’s have something good on this site – there are enough expensive retirement flats in Stone.
“Let’s focus on making our views known when the plans are submitted. We still have a chance to object to this development. The £100,000 raised by Stone Town Council in 2009 to buy Crown Wharf could surely still be used to help fund a community/tourism project on the site?”[/box]
[box type=”shadow” ]Karen Wyatt runs the Canal Cruising Company, which is based right next to Crown Wharf. Karen said: “This business has been running for over 65 years and I am concerned that if people move into apartments, they will complain about the noise and smell. I think it could be a big threat to the business. The development is not appropriate for the site. I don’t think the apartments are needed in the town.”[/box]
“Don’t let this happen”
Poet Jo Bell – former Canal Laureate – moved to Stone with her narrowboat a few years ago.
She said: “The canal is Stone’s greatest historic asset – the UK canal network really began here, with a meeting at the Crown Hotel which set in motion the canal building movement and therefore laid down the bones of the Industrial Revolution. Stone has always been kind to its canals and made good use of them as a vital part of the town. This proposed development would put a visual and physical block between the canal and the main town, divorcing the two for ever and doing real damage to the historic environment which is Stone’s main hope for meaningful, long-term development.
“And all so that a few retired folk can have a nice view of the water. Stone, don’t let this happen. Use it as an opportunity to re-address how we use the canal in our town, and to appreciate it for what it is – the best and most financially promising asset we have for real and sustainable regeneration.”
In the planning application, McCarthy & Stone say the retirement complex would boost the local economy.
It says: “Private sheltered housing schemes play a vital part in the life of the local communities. The proposed site is located within easy walking distance of the local shops and facilities and this will contribute significantly to retail viability providing additional expenditure within the local community, shops and businesses.”
[button color=”red” size=”medium” link=”https://www12.staffordbc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NWU1DBPS00O00″ ]Click here to comment on the planning application[/button]
