Plan to extend shop and turn into four-bed B&B location

FOUR bed and breakfast rooms have been proposed in a Staffordshire Moorlands village.

A planning application has been put forward to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council by CFM Nationwide Holdings Ltd for a single-storey rear extension to an existing tile shop and for the change of use to form four bed & breakfast rooms on the first floor at 3, High Street, Alton.

A planning and heritage statement, submitted on behalf of the applicant by Hewitt & Carr Architects of Cheadle, said: “The proposed single storey rear extension will occupy a footprint of

34.4 square metres and provide additional floorspace associated with the existing commercial use. At first floor it is proposed to undertake minor internal alterations to reuse the existing accommodation as four ensuite bed and breakfast bedrooms.

“The site has no off-street parking, but parking for the proposed bed and breakfast rooms is to be accommodated within the car park of the Bull’s Head public house located directly opposite, which is also owned by the applicant.

“The proposed bed and breakfast use is intended to complement the existing public house, and will offer opportunities for customers to stay within the village, close to the existing attractions of the Churnet Valley and Alton Towers.

“The car park has capacity to accommodate this additional parking, which generally will be overnight while the pub is closed.

“The existing site already benefits from consent for A1 (retail) and A3 (restaurants/ cafes). The applicant intends to continue to operate the premises as an A1 unit, and such works do not require planning permission.

“The creation of additional floor area to the ground floor commercial premises will not give rise to any discernible additional traffic. This is a sustainable location with on street parking available.”

The statement stated that the application site is located within the Churnet Valley Master Plan area, wherein there is particular support for the provision of short stay and long stay visitor accommodation.

It added: “These facilities will help to secure more overnight visitors to the Staffordshire Moorlands, while also generating additional local employment.”

A decision on the application is expected by planners within eight weeks.