Plans have been approved to construct a large new four storey building on the site of a Leek chemical manufacturer.

The application to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council was submitted by Croda Chemicals, who are based on Barnfield Road.

The application stated that the building would be "vital" for producing "specialist components and products" for the business, which "uses cutting edge technology" to produce pharmaceutical ingredients.

The new building will include a plant room and other areas such as offices. The application says that the work undertaken in the building would be "relatively noise-free" and that the control of odours would be "managed".

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning officers approved the application in a decision this week.

A report by the council's officers noted that one public comment was received that objected to the proposed development on the grounds of emissions.

They objector stated they are currently affected at certain times by the site due to their asthma and were concerned that the development would affect their health.

However, the report concluded that the development would not cause too much pollution to the environment.

It said: "Subject to the imposition of conditions, it is considered that the proposed development will have measures in place to protect human health via the Environmental Permit and it will not result in an unsafe, unhealthy or polluted environment.

"The public comment received has been taken into consideration however, for the reasons outlined above, the proposed development is considered to accord with the relevant policies contained in the Staffordshire Moorlands Local Plan (2020) and the NPPF (2021). As such the application is recommended for approval."