Plans to partially rebuild dry stone walls outside Leek Moorlands Hospital have been given the green light by the district council.

The plans, submitted to the council by the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, were granted approval last week.

The application's proposal states: "The proposed works are to partially rebuild defective boundary dry stone walls which front onto the main A523.

"Replacement of defective metal railings to the rear of the stone wall. Rebuilding of the stone buttress to the existing stone wall along the eastern boundary."

A statement prepared as part of the application explains that tree roots have damaged the walls.

It says: "The full boundary has been surveyed and the areas identified for repair are dry stone construction which have deteriorated such that stability has been compromised. Tree roots have also penetrated through the wall and displaced the unbonded stonework."

Explaining the work that will be undertaken to repair the walls it adds: "The wall will therefore be replaced with a reinforced blockwork wall with reinforced concrete base and a dry stone wall cladding in front to match existing. The dry-stone walling and cladding will be constructed using a dry stone walling specialist. The junction with the retained section of original wall will be a dry stone wall course bonded joint."

Approving the plans, the district council's planning officers reported: "Overall, the works is considered to have a negligible effect on the historic and special interests of this prominent listed building and its setting. A recommendation for conditional approval is therefore made."