A planning application to convert a Leek warehouse into an indoor children's play area has been delayed in order for a highways consultation to be carried out.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's Planning Committee were due to meet today to discuss the application, submitted by a Mr P Goldstraw, to convert an old warehouse and joiner's workshop on Sneyd Street into a children's play area.

The building sits on the corner of Sneyd Street and Strangman Street, and dates back to the late 1950s or early 1960s, originally being built for manufacturing and storage purposes.

The application, if approved, would see the building converted for use as a children's play centre with a soft play area and small café serving hot and cold snacks and drinks. No exterior changes are proposed other than a non-illuminated sign above the entrance doors.

While the council's Planning Committee did meet today to discuss a number of other applications, the warehouse conversion was not discussed, despite being on the agenda.

This was due to councillors and officers feeling that a highways consultation first needed to be carried out before a decision was made.

Planning Committee chair Cllr Paul Roberts told Nub News: "We had a site visit and found out there hadn't been a highways consultation, and the councillors decided that they wanted more information.

"We wanted it to be done properly, and the officers decided it wasn't feasible to make a decision without a highways consultation.

"We have to be fair to the residents, so we thought it was best to remove it for now. We will do the consultation and then take it from there. It will probably be going back to the Planning Committee later this month."

The plans have attracted considerable attention from residents, who appear to be split on the proposals, with 16 letters of support and 12 letters of objection being submitted to the district council.

Those in support felt that the conversion would add a valuable children's and family social facility to the town, while those who objected raised concerns about parking, traffic and road safety, and felt that the new business could jeopardise another children's play centre in Leek.

Leek Town Council recommended that the application be refused, saying the development would create parking issues in an already congested area, and raising safety concerns, saying Sneyd Street is used as a "rat run".

However, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning officers recommended the plans for approval, saying that there are "no sustainable reasons to withhold planning permission."

If you would like to view the application in full, click here.

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