Plans Submitted To Turn Ground Floor Of Stafford’s Old Library Into Flats

Plans have been submitted to turn the ground floor of Stafford’s Old Borough Library into nine self-contained flats.

The application relates to The Old Library on Lichfield Road, also known as the Old Borough Library at The Green. The building is Grade II listed and sits within the Stafford Town Centre Conservation Area.

The planning application is currently listed as awaiting decision.

Front entrance of the former library

What is being proposed?

The application asks for permission to change the ground floor from its lawful restaurant use to residential use.

The plans would create 9 self-contained flats:

• 4 one-bedroom flats

• 5 two-bedroom flats

The planning documents say the exact mix is still to be finalised by the applicant, but the current schedule lists four one-bed and five two-bed flats.

Will the outside of the building change?

According to the submitted documents, no external alterations are proposed.

The Design and Access Statement says there would be:

• No new external openings

• No changes to windows or doors

• No changes to the roof

• No new vents, ducts, flues or external plant

• No changes to the building’s façade or envelope

This is likely to be one of the main points of interest for the public, as the building is listed and has a strong presence on the approach into Stafford town centre.

Has part of the building already been converted?

Yes, the application documents do mention that the upper floors are already in residential use.

This new application focuses on the ground floor, which had previously been approved for restaurant use.

What happened with the restaurant plans?

A previous planning permission, reference 12/17812/COU, was approved in February 2013 for the building to be used as a restaurant.

That approval included restaurant-related works such as extract ductwork, air handling units and internal alterations. The current documents say that permission was partly implemented, including installed ductwork and some internal partitions.

The new plans argue that residential use would be quieter and lower impact than a restaurant, with no need for external extraction, late-night activity or commercial servicing.

Why is the building important?

The Old Borough Library was originally known as the New Free Library and was designed by Briggs, Wolstenholme & Thornely in 1912 to 1913. Historic England lists the building as Grade II, with the listing first made on 17 September 2015.

The building is described in the application’s heritage statement as a landmark with architectural, historic and communal value. It also says the building is remembered locally as a former public facility.

The building was also featured on the Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list in 2016. At the time, the society said it hoped the listing would help push action to bring the old library back into use.

What about parking?

The submitted Design and Access Statement says the parking impact would be neutral compared with the previous restaurant use. It also says servicing traffic would be much lower, with no food, drink or equipment deliveries linked to a restaurant use.

Are there any concerns?

The main issues raised in the documents are around the building’s listed status, conservation area setting and flood risk.

The applicant’s documents say the works would be internal only and would use lightweight, reversible partitions. They also say no historic decorative features would be removed or altered.

Natural England has responded with no objection, subject to appropriate mitigation linked to Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation.

What happens next?

Stafford Borough Council will consider both applications before making a decision.

The related references are:

• 26/41737/FUL

• 26/41738/LBC

People can view and comment on the applications through the Stafford Borough Council planning portal.