Planning permission has been granted to convert a derelict historic morgue within the former St Edward’s Hospital estate in Cheddleton into a single holiday let cottage.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council approved the change of use and associated listed building consent, allowing the long-vacant building at St Edward’s Park to be brought back into use after years of dereliction and repeated failed planning attempts.
The scheme will see the building repaired and sensitively converted into holiday accommodation, with works including structural repairs, repointing and replacement of damaged brickwork, roof repairs using matching slate and the reinstatement of lost or deteriorated architectural features where appropriate. The surrounding woodland will also be managed through selective thinning and maintenance.
The morgue dates back to the late 19th century and formed part of the original North Staffordshire Asylum, later St Edward’s Hospital, designed by London architects Giles, Gough and Trollope. The wider complex was developed as a self-contained institution with ward blocks, an administration building, chapel, water tower and staff housing set within extensive landscaped grounds.
Although much of the former hospital has been redeveloped into residential use following its closure in 2002, including converted apartments and listed buildings such as Malloy House and the former water tower, the morgue and chapel remain among the last unconverted structures from the original Grade II listed hospital complex.
A heritage statement submitted with the application said the proposal would bring a derelict building back into viable use while supporting the conservation of the wider heritage asset.
It added: “The proposal can be seen in the context of the existing residential complex and given the location of the proposal it would not have a greater impact on St Edwards Park and its surrounding 122 acres of land. The impact of the proposal, from a heritage perspective, can only be viewed as positive.
“The building has been abandoned for many years and is now becoming a location utilised for anti-social behaviour, including drug use, despite multiple attempts to secure the building as required since the applicant purchasedthe site.
“Officers will see, from any site visit, that the building is subject to break-ins which, combined with the historic significance of the building, further supports a general requirement for an alternative use for the building in terms of general amenity for the area but also to preserve the designated heritage asset itself.”
