Plans for a new warehouse on the former site of Pets at Home's national distribution centre are set to be approved, despite concerns over flooding.

The planning application for a 15,283sqm warehouse on the land off Stanley Matthews Way in Trentham Lakes has been recommended for approval by officers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Flood risk officers are objecting to the plans because part of the development would be built over a culverted watercourse. They say this will create issues with structural loading and make it difficult to access the culvert, increasing the risk of flooding.

Applicant Amatrix Stoke PropCo Limited says that the watercourse is redundant meaning there is low risk of flooding. After seeking independent advice on the issue, planning officers are supporting the applicant's position.

There would be parking for 229 staff and visitors. (Planning application)

The report to the planning committee states: "Whilst your officers would not usually make a recommendation against the advice of a statutory consultee, especially given the importance of flood risk, the site circumstances here are considered to be unique.

"Having taken independent advice on this technical matter, officers are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to support the applicant's position on this occasion."

Pets at Home moved to a new facility near Stafford in 2023 and the Trentham Lakes site has been out of the use since then. Plans to demolish the existing distribution centre were approved earlier this year.

The warehouse would be 15,283sqm. (Planning application)

The new development would consist of a main warehouse building and a multi-storey van deck – which would be built over the culvert – providing 689 van storage bays. According to the application, the development would serve as a 'last mile distribution facility'.

There would be parking for 229 staff and visitors, with the existing vehicular access points being retained. Officers are recommending that the council requests developer contributions of £106,288 to fund highway improvements and active travel.

Planning committee members will consider the application when they meet on Wednesday.