A planning application to Stafford Borough Council for 27 houses directly opposite the junction, on land that has been a meadow since the canals were built 250 years ago, has been refused.
At this iconic junction where the two canals join, the historic Junction Bridge is not only a Listed Building but a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The proposed development would have irreparably damaged the views and the setting of this unique part of the canals’ Conservation Areas.
IWA Lichfield Branch had strongly objected to the plans on heritage grounds, which have now been refused.
The many reasons include “substantial and irreversible change to the setting of the historic canal junction ‘Haywood Junction’ which incorporates three conservation areas, two listed buildings, and a scheduled ancient monument” with “serious harm to the numerous heritage assets in this extremely sensitive and heritage dense location”.
The documents, comments (including IWA’s consultation response – CPSTA57), officers’ report and decision notice can all be seen by entering the reference number 22/36870/OUT at: https://www12.staffordbc.gov.uk/online-applications/
Although the officers’ report calls us the Inland Waterways Board (!) IWA welcomes the decision for its comprehensive refusal, which hopefully gives no grounds for an appeal.
[The photo shows the historic bridge at the junction of the two canals – photo supplied by Canal & River Trust]
