Councillors have backed plans to bring a former silk mill in the Staffordshire Moorlands back into use as accommodation.

Planning committee members at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said the proposals for the Grade II listed Well Street Mill in Leek would help prevent another historic building being lost in the town.

Big Mill, another former silk mill in Leek, had to be demolished following a devastating fire last month. Applicant Amir Wahid's proposals would see Well Street Mill converted into 17 flats, with 10 one-bedroom units, six two-bedroom units and one studio apartment.

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission and listed building consent to the scheme, in line with their officers' recommendation. Councillors acknowledged the concerns raised by objectors the development would only include six off-street parking spaces.

But they said this problem could not stand in the way of the mill being brought back into use.

Councillor Mark Johnson said: "Particularly in the light of what's happened recently in Leek, any proper application that brings mills into use has got to be welcomed.

"I do appreciate that there are issues for some residents about parking. But we just cannot allow the car to wag the dog and in fact there are no statutory obligations on that score.

"So I support this application. It's good to see this kind of accommodation coming back into the centre of Leek."

advertisement

Councillor Keith Hoptroff added: "The parking is a concern, but if we don't accept this proposal, that is ideal in every other way, we risk it going to rack and ruin like the Big Mill, and in a more built up area. If fits in well with the renovation of London Mill, and would be great for the town."

Councillor Lyn Swindlehurst noted there are six public car parks close to Well Street Mill, with seasonal permits sold for five of them.

She said: "So the people who live here who choose to have a car – and some of them won't – they could apply for an annual permit to park somewhere nearby."

The mill, which dates back to the 19th century, consists of a Grade II listed four-storey building, and an unlisted two-storey building within its curtilage.

Well Street Mill has been out of use for around 10 years, having previously been used as accommodation for Alton Towers.