LAST ORDERS?
Part of a historic Leek pub could be turned into holiday accommodation under plans submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. The Quiet Woman, on St Edward Street, has had a number of landlords and owners over the past six years, who have failed to create a ‘viable business’. Full story
PLANS have been put forward to turn part of a Leek pub into holiday accommodation.
A proposal has been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to change part of the building from a public house to holiday accommodation at the Quiet Woman on St Edward Street.
A design, access and heritage statement produced by Ian Ankers Architecture Ltd, on behalf of owners Woodcocks & Leather Partnership, said: “Occupying a prime position on a busy mixeduse street, the building works in conjunction with its neighbours to provide an attractive and unique gateway for visitors arriving into the town centre from the south and east.
“Over the last five to six years, the public house has been owned/ managed by several independent landlords who have failed to create a viable business from the premises.
“The building owners, Woodcocks & Leather Partnership, are seeking change of use for the rear outbuildings to form an additional two self-contained holiday apartments, centred around the existing courtyard.”
A pre-application advice request was submitted by the applicant in January 2020.
However, due to Covid-19 working restrictions, a site meeting and formal response has not been supplied by the local authority.
The principles of the change of use and alterations to the building fabric have, however, been discussed with planning officers via informal telephone discussions.
The statement continues: “It was the opinion that, subject to agreed details and further discussions with the conservation officer, an application for change of use could be supported.
“As no pre-application advice on changes to the building fabric has been forthcoming, the applicant hopes to resolve any Listed Building Consent details through the course of this application.”
The proposals seek permission to: Maintain the pub to the west of the site to also act as concierge to apartments within the site;
Create a pair of new two-bed self-contained holiday apartments at the ground floor (within the existing north and east buildings);
Alter principle entrances to existing self-contained holiday apartments at the first floor, including installation of external steel staircase and landing;
Remove existing contemporary lantern light and flat roof over the central courtyard;
Make minor repairs and alterations to the existing building fabric, as detailed in the works schedule.
A decision is expected by planners within the next eight weeks.