Refusal for plans to redevelop former public baths

Plans to redevelop a former library, public baths and drill hall have been rejected by a council planning committee.

Proposals to transform the Grade II-listed buildings in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, into 39 flats were submitted to the city council in October.

Applicant Tunstall Library Developments Ltd said the development, which was allocated £3.5m of government funding, was a "unique opportunity to deliver a sensitive and viable regeneration project that revitalises a significant heritage site".

Councillors refused the plans, with a spokesperson for the authority saying the application "does not meet the standards required".

Earlier this year the council declared a heritage emergency, because it said, buildings such as these were "too important to the identity of our city to be allowed to fall into disrepair".

"That commitment is exactly why officers recommended that councillors on the planning committee refuse Tunstall Library Developments Ltd's (TLDL) application to convert the site into apartments and why the committee voted to refuse planning permission."

They added that a thorough review by the authority and Historic England had concluded the application did not meet the standards.

"It is disappointing that these proposals did not measure up, but our first duty is to protect the building, and we will not lower the bar on a heritage asset of this significance," the authority added.

They said there were concerns about the conversion and the lack of relevant information included as part of the submission.

Posting on Facebook, some called for the baths to be restored to their original purpose and for the drill hall to be brought back into use for band rehearsals and performances.

Other suggested uses included an art gallery and office space.

Some people asked what would happen to the building now that the planning permission had been rejected.

The council said Levelling Up funding allocated to the scheme would be reallocated within the Stoke-on-Trent North consituency.

"We remain confident we will spend our Levelling Up allocation before the national deadline, and that the money will deliver lasting benefits for the people of Stoke-on-Trent," they said.

As well as the 39 homes, the proposed redevelopment would include a spa pool, gym, sports bar, cafe and community space.

The developer previously said the "landmark buildings" continued to deteriorate through neglect, vandalism, arson and antisocial behaviour.

It added the scheme would result in more visitors supporting local businesses, describing it as a "catalyst for wider town centre regeneration".

"This proposal combines public funding with significant private investment to secure the long-term future of these buildings," the applicant said.

The three buildings all date back to the late 19th Century and were in operation for more than 100 years.

They are all currently vacant after the baths closed in 2011, the library in 2022 and the snooker hall, within the drill hall, in 2023.

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