A town centre bus station is set to be refurbished – and plans include the removal of two "redundant" stops.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has submitted an application for changes to the Stubbs Street site, including new bus shelters, real time passenger display units and landscaping.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said that a conservation area appraisal had described the current area as "poor quality public realm" and the bus stops were categorised as "negative buildings" in the Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre Conservation Appraisal Map.

The statement added: "Public opinion regarding the existing facility was gagued by reading numerous Google reviews; re-occurring comments were that the existing stops are both draughty and uncomfortable.

"The existing stops are in poor condition and do not contribute to the Conservation Area, so their replacement is appropriate.

"The replacement stops are to have improved levels of comfort – less draughts and better seating – and are to have better signposting – the existing situation leaves passengers unclear about where to wait for a bus.

"Landscaping is to be introduced, not in planters which require regular watering, but in areas of landscaping combining both hard and soft solutions. Planting is to be appropriate for the location and is to consist (of) low maintenance, native plants which provide year-round amenity and visual interest.

"Provision is to be included for future electrification of buses and photovoltaic panels are to be fitted onto the new roof. The scheme will also feature additional lighting, improved pedestrian barriers and new CCTV installation.

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There will be no change to the amount of "usable" bus stops, the statement added, but existing stops 15 and 16 are now considered redundant, as they are too short to fit buses in. These two stops are set to be removed and the space will be incorporated into the new landscaping.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has yet to make a decision on the application.

To view the full application, visit the Newcastle-under-Lyme planning website here.