Up to 50 jobs could be created with the redevelopment of a former factory site into a new industrial and storage hub.
Planning permission has been passed for a scheme on a parcel of land off Swynnerton Road, Cold Meece, near Stone, close to the Swynnerton MOD training camp.
The site is currently leased by Orbital Gas and used primarily for product testing and maintenance operations, employing three people.
Under the approved plans, the single-storey brick buildings formerly used as a factory associated with the military base will be demolished to make way for the construction of two detached buildings forming five separate units.
Applicant Ventnor Limited said the current site is outdated and ‘no longer meets the operational requirements of contemporary business practices’, with the replacement units designed to provide more efficient use of the land and foster an environment of ‘innovation and economic activity.’
Orbital Gas, which currently operates adjacent to the site, is expected to become the anchor tenant for the development as part of its expansion plans.
Two of the new units will be for general industrial use with the remaining three allocated as storage and distribution units. In total, the scheme will deliver a combined floorspace of around 28,500 sq ft alongside 53 parking spaces.
A planning officer’s report states: “The proposal would provide additional employment benefits and is considered acceptable in principle in this location.
“The proposal is considered to have some adverse impact upon the appearance of the area and the setting of nearby non-designated heritage assets given the position and scale of the buildings, albeit this visual impact is mitigated somewhat by retained trees, the material colour finish and proposed planting.
“Nevertheless, the proposal will provide economic benefits through providing modern employment units, and will deliver a 21.85 per cent uplift in the biodiversity value of the site.
“These factors together are considered to outweigh the harm caused in respect of visual impact, and on balance it is recommended planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”
The plans have been passed by officers at Stafford Borough Council.
