Neighbours unite to fight flats plan

A group of neighbours have united to see off plans to convert an empty shop in their street into flats.

Antonio Cuples from Barlaston wants to convert the former D&D Glass shop in Edward Street into a ground-floor flat, and to convert the shop’s outbuilding into two flats. Two existing first-floor flats would also be modified if two separate planning applications are approved.

Edward Street residents – as well as people in nearby streets – have objected to the plans and say there is no space in an already congested area for more vehicles. They say that the Stonefield area is already dangerously congested with parked cars and that more residential development would make the situation even worse.

John Burdon of Edward Street said: “The proposals would create five flats, which could create 10 more cars in an area where it is already difficult, and at times near impossible, to park in. Should the proposals be accepted, this could cause chaos on already crowded streets in which some cars are already parking dangerously.”

Concerns have also been expressed by local councillors Joyce Farnham and Philip Leason, who have both ‘called in’ the planning application to ensure that it is discussed by the borough council planning committee.

There were no objections from Stone Town Council, although this decision was taken before the flurry of objections from Edward Street residents, nor the highways department of Staffordshire County Council.

Article continues after this message

The highways department state that its decision not to object is based on the impact of another commercial business using the building, as well as the fact that the “reconfiguration of the first-floor layout has resulted in a reduction in the number of bedrooms which equates to a reduction in the required parking provision”.

Residents strongly object to this assertion.

Stephanie Simm, who lives opposite the empty building, said: “Although the property was previously a commercial unit, any traffic relating to this unit was there during the day. The problems in Edward Street and the surrounding streets is in the evening, when people return from work. A residential development will put even more of a strain on our streets, which are already becoming dangerous because of the sheer number of vehicles.”

The deadline for comments to be submitted is Thursday 15th September. The applications will be decided at a future meeting of Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee.

You can view the planning application and read the dozens of letters of objection on the borough council’s planning portal.

Do you live in the Stonefield area? What do you make of the planning application? What do you think about parking in the area?