Historic shoemaking factory decision delayed

A decision on whether to demolish an historic shoe production factory or not has been delayed.

Stonefield Works was a factory site for shoe firm Lotus until the 1970s. An application to redevelop the site in Oulton Road, Stone, Staffordshire, has been submitted.

Opponents say redeveloping the site could erase the town's last link to its shoemaking heritage.

The plans have been recommended for approval but Stafford Borough Councillors deferred a decision and asked for more information in relation to issues raised.

Questions had been raised about whether structures could be retained and used in a proposed 114-home development.

Outline permission was previously granted for residential development there in 2007 - but a further application never came forward and the consent lapsed.

In 2020, Hitachi and ABB came together to create Hitachi Energy UK Limited and it was that firm which submitted the latest application.

One letter of support was submitted to the council, backing plans to use the site for housing.

But the authority received 117 objections, with concerns including increased traffic, impact on GP services and loss of Stone’s heritage.

Ward councillor and historian Philip Leason said the main Lotus Building was regarded as a non-designated heritage asset and should be retained, though he did not object to other parts being knocked down.

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

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