Plans for a brand-new electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Tunstall have been refused by the local council.

The planning application was for the demolition of a vacant industrial warehousing unit on Williamson Street to make way for an EV charging hub.

Since the plans were submitted in December 2023, the subject buildings have already been demolished.

The new hub would have had a total of 24 EV charging bays, 12 charging units and a substation.

A Planning Statement said: "The proposed site will deliver a total of 24 EV charging bays with associated circulation areas and pedestrian footways within the site following demolition of the existing buildings. 

"A total of 12 No. EV charging units will also be provided, which will measure 1,905mm in height and 1,139mm in width. The charging hub will also be served by a substation, which will be located to the southwest corner of the site. It is also proposed to provide an area of soft landscaping to the north western corner of the site.

The council refused the application due to design issues and inaccurate planning following unauthorised demolition (Nub News).

"The site will operate 24/7 and, whilst there will be no dedicated staff presence at the site during hours of operation, instructions for use will be provided on signage to be installed within the site and on the charger interface, along with contact details for the operator should any issues arise."

These plans were refused by the council on 17 January 2025 and an Officer's Report said the proposed hub would be "of a poor design and visually discordant with the wider urban area".

The report continues: "The application seeks planning permission for the demolition and subsequent redevelopment of the site. However, the building shown as existing on the site has already been demolished.

"The application is therefore not sufficiently accurate because it should therefore seek partially retrospective planning permission. The plans and wider submission are therefore inaccurate owing to the unauthorised demolition."

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