Hundreds of jobs set to be created with new lab

Pulling down an office block to make way for a facility more than twice its height will help create more than 220 jobs, company bosses said.

A 42m high (138ft) laboratory, which will test electrical transformers, is the tallest part of a development planned at GE Grid Solutions on Ranshaw Drive, Stafford.

A report to the borough council's planning committee, which approved the plans on Tuesday, noted the factory expansion was a "significant" increase.

Neil Beardsmore, from the firm, which has been based at the site for 60 years, said the changes would mean local jobs for apprentices and trainees.

The report, by council officers, said two other "connect" and "dispatch" buildings more than 25m (82ft) tall were earmarked for an area currently occupied by the 16m (52 ft) tall four-storey office block.

Since the tallest section of the existing factory buildings was 26.5m (87 ft), the proposal would become "the dominant feature within the site", they added.

But the report advised the site had a well-established industrial use and so the development would "not adversely affect the character or appearance" of it.

The planning application led to 17 responses from residents who cited concerns including the development's impact visually, potential loss of light and a lack of parking for construction traffic.

However, speaking in support of the application, Mr Beardsmore said residents should "consider yourselves proud" the company's transformers could be found "in all four corners of the world".

"Demand for transformers is growing as we go towards net zero and we want to meet that demand and establish a sustainable business in Stafford," he said.

"We have employed and trained thousands of people.

"We are aiming to increase the workforce by over 220 people – this will also include apprentices and trainees from the catchment area of Stafford and they will be highly skilled."

Mr Beardmore added the firm needed the new facility to test transformers before they were delivered to other sites.

Committee members voted unanimously to approve the application.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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