Planning permissions granted for Chatterley Whitfield colliery transformation

Press release from English Partnerships - 21 March 2005

The proposed redevelopment of the former Chatterley Whitfield colliery, near Stoke-on-Trent, is set to become reality after planning applications for the first phase of works received approval.

The applications - to improve access to the site and convert the former Main Office complex into business and training accommodation - were submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council on behalf of national regeneration agency English Partnerships.

Chatterley Whitfield colliery is an historic site of exceptional importance and is recognised as England’s best-preserved example of a coalmining complex. Part of the site was given Scheduled Ancient Monument status by English Heritage in 1993.

It is now anticipated that work to repair and alter the former Main Office complex, which is adjacent to the site entrance, in order to provide small and medium enterprise (SME) business accommodation and skills training will begin next month.

Approval has also been given to upgrade and widen the existing access road to enable re-use of further buildings in future phases. A new roundabout will also be constructed at the entrance to the site.

Finally, an application for the change of use for the whole site – which will result in a new lease of life for the 34 existing buildings within the Scheduled Ancient Monument boundary – has also been approved. Although funding is not yet in place to upgrade these buildings, this permission means that capacity for potential future development is now in place.

English Partnerships, English Heritage and Stoke-on-Trent City Council are the lead partners on the scheme and are working with The Chatterley Whitfield Partnership to create a positive future for the 61-ha site to benefit the local community and the wider region. The Partnership includes Joan Walley MP, regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, the Government Office for the West Midlands and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Neil Mortimer, Head of Coalfields for English Partnerships, said, "The granting of these approvals will allow the sensitive regeneration of the site to finally begin. This is the culmination of a number of years of work with the local community and stakeholders to develop a plan which will provide valuable new education, community and business facilities for local people, as well as an opportunity to attract additional private and public investment."

Andrew Patterson, Project Director at English Heritage, said, "The approval of these applications is a major milestone in the Chatterley Whitfield regeneration project, enabling us to make a physical start on transforming the site for the good of the local community and the wider area."

The planning applications were prepared by Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects, who were appointed to undertake the masterplanning of the site and the refurbishment of the office complex.

Chatterley Whitfield was added the English Partnerships’ National Coalfields Programme in 2002. The Programme aims to create new jobs, homes, leisure facilities and public open space in former coalfield communities throughout England.