Popular yard is all set to welcome return of shoppers
Low carbon homes refused
A SHOPPING arcade at the heart of a Moorlands town is ready to welcome back shoppers after using the three lockdowns to upgrade and expand.
While all was quiet, businesses in Getliffe’s Yard – off Derby Street in Leek – have been busy using the time to improve facilities.
Now the shops in the yard are ready to bounce back and welcome shoppers back again as soon as restrictions are lifted.
The yard – home to several busineses – is owned by Anne Morris, who said: “Leek Bar & Grill used the first lockdown in 2020 to carry out improvements to the existing restaurant but also to create his new on trend cocktail bar adjacent.
“Although they would obviously have preferred no lockdowns, the owner said that he does not know how he would have done such extensive work while open, and he is still at it during the current lockdown to be ready for when we can return to some form of normality.
“Additionally, he has spent a significant sum of money to install covid safety measures for his customers and staff to create a safe but relaxing environment. At present he is providing a takeaway service.
“During that time, Dream Catchers moved into the Yard with Andrew Elson’s holistic gifts, carvings, aromatherapy oils, crystals and much more.”
During lockdown two in November, Andrew soon found that his shop was so popular that he needed much more space to expand to offer more extensive ranges and to hold seminars and workshops. He said: “I was looking to downsize my threestorey fashion store to concentrate on casual wear so we swapped premises.” During the current lockdown, Amanda Hill – who opened Love My Socks in February 2018 and had already upsized once within the yard – was thrilled to move into the two-story premises, formerly Miscos, to further develop her supply of wool and all knitting products. In addition to her extensive range of socks, Amanda also plans to do workshops when restrictions allow.
“Amanda said that her business has just taken off since her move from Buxton to Getliffe’s Yard and thanks the lovely people of Leek for their support especially during the pandemic,” added Anne.
“Meanwhile Amy and Sue from the pretty Teacake cafe decided to have a break and after the very difficult year and continue online for the time being.
“Immediately, Leanne and Martin of Peony Flora, already well established in the yard with their exquisite floral work, jumped at the chance of expanding into the site of Teacake.
“They plan to fill the atrium, two glass fronted floors and balcony with beautiful flowers, plant accessories and homeware and also to restart their workshops in due course.
“Following into their premises on are sisters Claire and Nicola Tagg of The Tagg Studio with beautiful collections of home furnishings.
“They all agree that they do not know how they could have done it without the lockdowns but, please Mr. Johnson, no more!”
Anne said she wishes success to those leaving but also paid a huge tribute to those in expansion mode and also to the other yard businesses, Jackie Harold designer silversmith, Blush hair and beauty, Debra with her handmade memory bears and gifts, and Penny Lane hair on their hard work and dogged determination to keep the yard beautiful, provide professional services and unique products for the people of Leek and visitors alike to enjoy during this unprecedented difficult period.
Anne added: “The camaraderie within the yard has undoubtedly helped business owners to keep their spirits up especially in the most frightening times.
“They are all raring to go once government restrictions are lifted in their pretty, safe environment, Getliffe’s Yard.”
Although they would obviously have preferred no lockdowns, the owner said that he does not know how he would have done such extensive work while open
Mrs Morris
STAFFORDSHIRE Moorlands District Council is proposing to transfer the management of 11 countryside parks to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
The sites include Local Nature Reserves (LNR), Sites of Biological Interest (SBI) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The transfer involves Biddulph Grange Country Park; Ladderedge Country Park; Wetley Moor Common SSSI; Brough Park Fields LNR; Marshes Hill Common LNR and SBI; Cecily Brook LNR; Hales Hall Pool LNR; Whitemoor LNR; Hoften’s Cross LNR and SBI; Biddulph Valley Way and Newpool Meadows.
However, the Leekbrook line will transfer to the Churnet Valley Railway rather than Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
In a question at the last meeting of the council’s service delivery overview and scrutiny panel,
Councillor Lytton Page, said: “With reference to the management transfer of 11 sites to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, with a promise of £54,000 per annum estimated savings to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
“With the exception of Wetley Moor Common, jointly owned by SMDC and Stoke-on-trent City Council, I believe this transfer is agreed. The transfer issue related to Wetley Moor Common has been ongoing for several years. The cabinet member for climate change reassures us that he has a good working relationship with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and with changes to Stoke-on-trent Council there may be the potential for discussion with decision makers in the Conservative leading group.
“What assurances can be given to this committee that this issue will receive his full and immediate attention to complete this transfer.”
In response Councillor Joe Porter, who has the responsibility for climate change and biodiversity, said: “I can confirm that this project is a priority of this council as is detailed within our Corporate Plan.
“The transfer of the eleven countryside sites to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust will ensure that these valuable sites are managed and maintained in the best possible way in future, helping us to meet some of our climate change aspirations.
“I am therefore fully committed to ensuring that the transfer does happen and as a result I alongside officers will continue to work with the Trust to ensure this while redoubling our efforts to resolve any outstanding issues with colleagues at Stoke-ontrent City Council to ensure the transfer of these sites happens as soon as possible including Wetley Moor Common.”
The transfer and finer details of the proposals will need approval by councillors before finally going ahead.
PLANS to build three low energy, low carbon homes on land surrounding a Grade Ii-listed Staffordshire Moorlands pub have been refused.
Planners at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have turned down plans submitted by John Wilby to build the properties at the Abbey Inn on Abbey Green Road in Leek.
Leek Town Council strongly objected on the grounds it would be ‘detrimental to the character and appearance of the area’ and it would ‘adversely harm the appearance of the Grade Ii-listed building.’
In a decision report, case officer Arne Swithenbank said is was “a full application for planning permission and is also for listed building consent. Eight representations raise objections”.
“These include an extensive professional planning objection by Michael Sutcliffe and Associates on behalf of the occupiers of the adjacent Choir Cottage.
“This concludes that the proposal is not sustainable, does not meet the environmental test of sustainability because it is harmful to the setting of two listed buildings and this must be given great weight, since the harm is not outweighed by any public benefit.”
He said the application made references to improvements or business investment changes the applicant wanted to make but there were no specific details. “It is stated ‘the main aim is to provide funds to improve and preserve the listed assets’ referring to a number of things,” he added.
“For example, ‘the existing extensions at the rear of the building are tucked and hewed into the steep stone/earth bank of flat roofs and single wall construction with no insulation. Therefore, this area being on the north side also, is cold and damp and is gradually becoming unfit for purpose.’ Also regarding the proposal site, the area is quite unsightly being bounded by a metal motorway barrier. These aspirations have been stated only in general terms and are more related to the business or are a general desirability rather than specified conservation requirements of the building.
“There may be a need to invest in the business but the heritage asset is the building. The application does not present any specific reasoning to demonstrate the building is at risk.
“It should be recognised that to avoid it becoming at risk it needs a viable use but again the application does not present any defined case that a viable use isn’t available or cannot be found. It is therefore, not possible to find inprinciple support.
“So far as it can reasonably be ascertained in terms of its position, scale and mass, building form and materials would without doubt result in obvious harm to the settings of the two listed buildings.
“The Grade II Inn stands preeminently at the head of the approach and the grandeur it gains from this position is a significant and defining aspect of its settings. The Grade Ii-listed Choir Cottage meanwhile stands as a somewhat diminutive neighbour. Further to the south east and lower again is the more plain stone-built Abbey Dairy. The development would be harmful to the setting of the Grade Ii-listed Abbey Inn and the setting of the Grade II Listed Choir Cottage and whilst less than substantial this harm would be significant.
“A counterbalancing case of public benefit which might include securing optimum viable use of a heritage asset has not been established and no clear and convincing justification has been given for the development.”