Housing proposed for Staffordshire industrial site

Plans have been outlined for the redevelopment of a Staffordshire industrial site operated by Hitachi Energy UK to provide more than 130 homes.Hitachi Energy UK has submitted proposals to transform the Stonefield Works premises in Stone.Extending to about ten acres, the site is currently in industrial and research and development use for the production of electrical and energy transmission equipment.In 2020, the facilities averaged at least 250 employees a day. Since that time, Hitachi has now largely vacated the site.The company’s newly submitted proposals involve the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of up to 130 residential properties.Hitachi intends to market the site to commercial housebuilders once it has secured an outline approval.A statement lodged on behalf of the applicant with Stafford Borough Council said: “It is considered that the benefits of the proposals clearly outweigh the loss of a non-confirming employment use within a residential area.”The proposals will provide market and affordable housing situated in a sustainable location, on a site that is soon to be vacated.”