Over 250 objections have been submitted to a planning application which could see a mostly vacant Stoke-on-Trent commercial site demolished to make way for 68 flats.

Burslem Reach Ltd submitted an application to Stoke-on-Trent City Council to flatten the Burlsem site and build 35 one-bedroom flats, and a further 33 two-bedroom flats. 

The proposal explained that much of the site, which sits on the corner junction between Blake Street and Newcastle Street, is vacant and "in a state of disrepair". 

A total of 263 comments from members of the public regarding the proposed redevelopment have now been submitted to the Stoke-on-Trent City Council planning portal.

Of these comments, 252 object to the application using a collective statement on behalf of the congregation and community of St. Joseph's Church, Hall Street.

The objection states: "Our parish consists of 350 households, with over 1200 parishioners who use the church on a regular basis.

"While we are not opposed to the principle of redeveloping this derelict site, the current proposal, in its scale, design, and layout, poses a significant and unacceptable threat to the safety of our parishioners, the operation and sanctity of our church, and the character of the local area."

The statement raises several concerns regarding the proposal including the church's loss of privacy, noise, and the impact on traffic and pedestrian safety.

Concerns are also raised about harm to St Joseph's Church as a heritage asset citing the developer's report which said: "It is considered that the proposed development would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the Roman Catholic Church of St Joseph (Grade II Listed Building)". 

A spokesperson for the Potteries Heritage Society also submitted a comment, which was in support of the development but raised questions about access.

The spokesperson said: "The Society supports the proposed development in principle.

"Our key concern is that there appears to be no front door or direct access to the street, requiring pedestrians to enter or leave via the top or back of the site - a considerable additional distance when heading down Newcastle Street."

The planning application said: "The development would provide an invaluable opportunity to regenerate this site, whilst the redesign ensures that the site would be secure and safe and avoid any anti-social behaviour by taking on board and addressing the comments raised by Staffordshire Police. 

"Currently, the site is being used as a commercial premises, however, part of the premises is now vacant following the impact on the commercial sector due to Covid‐19, and more so, little has been done to the property, especially externally, over the years which has led the building to look tired and in serious need for regeneration, especially in its current state, it contributes little to the character and appearance of the street scene." 

The initial proposal would have built six terraced houses in addition to 57 flats, but this was revised following advice from Staffordshire Police who expressed concern that the open nature of the plan would lead to the presence of non-residents and anti-social behaviour. 

The site, formerly used by Crownford Pottery Works, is in both the Newcastle Street Conservation area and the Burslem conservation area. 

An archaeology assessment and heritage statement, submitted alongside the application, concluded that the development would cause "less than substantial harm". 

The statement said: "The proposals will improve the appearance of the existing site in the setting of the conservation areas, the Catholic Church of St Joseph and Portland House. 

"It will also, however, introduce a new, large building within the setting of the heritage assets incongruous with the surrounding built form, and will interrupt views out of the Conservation Areas." 

Council planning officers have yet to make a decision on the application. 

To view the full application visit the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website here.