Plans are in for pub ‘providing no tangible benefit to the residents or visitors of Cheadle’ to become office space instead
Local authority proposing increase of almost 5%
PLANS have been put forward for the change of use of a market town gateway pub, writes LES JACKSON.
A planning application has been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to convert the Talbot Inn on High Street in Cheadle, Staffordshire into to office space.
According to the proposed plans, the applicant, Turner & Co Consulting Ltd, plans to reconfigure the interior of building to include two offices on the ground floor and five smaller offices on the first floor.
There would also be a reception, toilet facilities and a kitchen and a carpark. No material changes would be made to the exterior of the building.
A heritage statement submitted by the applicant says that the property is currently empty and has been for some time.
The statement reads: “In its current state it is providing no tangible benefit to the residents or visitors of Cheadle.
“The proposed refurbishment and change of use would introduce a new opportunity for local business providing services to the residents of Cheadle and surrounding areas.”
It continues: “The proposed internal works will have no impact on the residents and local area other than to provide jobs within the local community.
“Due to the long-established heritage of Cheadle with records dating as far back as the Anglo-saxon period, it is possible that there is evidence of historical building components or underground artefacts.
“However, the proposed works are limited to superstructure and internal amendments and will not pose any threat to any hidden artefacts.
“The existing property is currently empty and has been for some time. In its current state it is providing no tangible benefit to the residents or visitors of Cheadle.
“The proposed refurbishment and change of use would introduce a new opportunity for local business providing services to the residents of Cheadle and surrounding areas.
“The exterior of the public house will remain unaltered therefore, preserving the local street façade and ensuring those local and foreign to the area can still gaze upon the history of the building.”
A decision is expected by planners within the next eight weeks.
RESIDENTS across the Staffordshire Moorlands will have to dig even deeper into their pockets in the forthcoming year following an increase in council tax.
Staffordshire County Council, which takes the largest part of the tax, is proposing a 4.99 per cent rise. This will mean an increase of £1.24 a week for a Band D property.
The proposed council tax increase of 4.99 per cent comprises a 1.99 per cent general increase and three per cent ring fenced for social care.
Leader of the county council Alan White said: “The fact that the provision of social care takes up approximately two-thirds of the proposed budget for next year is a long-running cause for concern.
“The growing demand in this sector is a national challenge rather than a local one and we need central Government to take the lead in finding sustainable long-term solutions.”
Meanwhile, Staffordshire
Moorlands District Council has announced that it is increasing its share of the council tax by 3.26 per cent.
This would mean that a Band D property will pay £158.40 for 2021/22, an increase of £5 a year.
In a report to councillors at last week’s resources overview and scrutiny panel, which members approved, active executive director (finance & customer services) and chief finance officer Claire Hazeldene said: “Having completed the annual budget exercise, a balanced budget for 2021/22 has been achieved by drawing £256,080 from reserves.
“The final General Fund budget proposal for 2021/22 provides for a net budget of £10,881,060 and a council tax increase of £5 on a Band D equivalent property (3.26 per cent).
“Consequently, the Band D equivalent council tax increases to £158.40, with the Special District Expenses remaining at £52.92 (Leek) and £10.64 (Biddulph) respectively.”
Staffordshire Police have also announced that they will be increasing their share of the council tax. The panel, which scrutinises the Staffordshire Commissioner’s work, agreed the proposal for a 5.99 per cent rise in the precept, which equates to 26p a week (£13.48 a year) for a Band D property towards policing in the county and city.
Staffordshire Commissioner for police and fire Matthew Ellis said: “I have always tried hard to keep the cost to local taxpayers down and since I first set the local tax for policing in 2013, Staffordshire and Stokeon-trent have seen the second smallest increase of all 43 police force areas nationally.
“Now more than ever, when people have been furloughed and it is so difficult for everyone, I feel it is not the time to ask the public for as much as you possibly can, just because you may have the power to do so.
“I decided on enough to ensure the continued good policing we’ve all come to expect, but I’m very aware of what awful circumstances have been caused by the pandemic.
“People in Staffordshire have already paid locally for a boost in an additional 91 police officers over the last few years and another 90 will be in place from Home Office funding by the end of March, of which we have seen and felt the benefit.
“They have also paid for investment in other police capabilities such as roads policing and enhanced digital investigations.
“Public services have been heroic in their efforts during these awful times. The ongoing effects of the virus and catastrophic impact on businesses, jobs and livelihoods means getting the balance right, between investing in services and being clear that people are hurting financially, is vital.”
The panel will consider the commissioner’s proposals for the precept towards Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at a separate meeting on Monday, February 15.
Meanwhile, some town and parish councils across the Moorlands have announced reductions, while others have kept their share of the council tax the same for the forthcoming year.