My Staffordshire Update
We’re well into 2024 now, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you who have been starting out this year with some incredible projects, I’ve also been undertaking some campaigns myself after listening to some of your valid concerns. I’d like to take this time to update you on what I’ve been doing in Staffordshire this month, the people that I’ve been greeting, and the issues I’ve been tackling.
I’d firstly like to draw attention to the vital work of a team of campaigners who are fighting for the protection of the Crooked House site, where significant work is being done to start re-building. I was grateful to meet with Paul Turner, the Crooked House campaigner who organised the six month anniversary event of the tragedy, where hundreds came to write down their memories of ‘Britain’s wonkiest pub’ and call for it to be re-built. Britain’s heritage pubs are an asset to our cultural landscape, and I was really grateful to work with Paul this month on applying for the site to be recognised as an Asset of Community Value, which should enable the re-building project to take place.
In other news, recently I’ve been fighting against over-building in Staffordshire, particularly the development of battery storage facilities close to residential areas, and distribution warehouses that are industrial in scale and eclipse the surrounding villages and towns. In Staffordshire we are proud to be custodians of the green belt, and the building of industrial parks and storage facilities in or around this threatens what we are trying to protect. I’ve been campaigning against a battery storage facility in Featherstone, and the expansion of distribution warehouses in Stone, to stop overbuilding in Staffordshire.
As always, my office and I are always hard at work helping constituents, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues where I can be of assistance - I can be reached by email at gavin.williamson.mp@parliament.uk, or you can phone my office on 01902 846 616.
Very best wishes,
Gavin
Taking Action to Re-Build our Crooked House Pub
Sir Gavin Williamson attended the six-month anniversary of the fire at the Crooked House pub, taking action in the re-building project by nominating the site as an asset of community value.
The event was organised by Crooked House campaigner, Paul Turner, who wanted to mark the anniversary by holding a memory event, showcasing the meaning of the pub to the local community and the national culture. More than 100 people returned to the site to pin notes of their memories of ‘Britain’s wonkiest pub’ onto a pin-board erected near to the ruins. The pub was the focus of national outrage in August 2023, when a fire destroyed the building, famous for its sloping walls and floors which had formed due to the subsidence of mining in the area. The unique landmark had been standing since the 18th century and attracted visitors from across the globe who came to experience the visual curiosity.
To take action on the Crooked House campaign, Sir Gavin has nominated the Crooked House as an Asset of Community Value. Once listed as an Asset of Community Value with the local authority, the local community will be informed when the site is listed for sale within the five year listing period. Locals could then enact the Community Right to Bid, which would see the Crooked House site being handed over to community efforts for its restoration. Support for a Community Right to Bid are demonstrable by a national campaign to see the pub rebuilt ‘brick by brick’, which has been signed by 35,000 people.
Sir Gavin said: “It is hard to think that it has been six months since we lost the Crooked House. It’s been a long journey, but the anniversary event showed us that people are willing to fight for re-building the landmark pub. By nominating the site as an Asset of Community Value, I’m hoping to provide the opportunity for the re-building to take place. What happened here will not be forgotten, and we’re doing all we can to bring back an important piece of Staffordshire heritage.”
Sir Gavin then met with Crooked House campaigner, Paul Turner, at South Staffordshire District Council, who said: “It’s a pile of rubble at the moment, but we know that this site has value historically. 1765 the house and pub was built there, it became crooked, and it’s been burnt and it’s been demolished. We’re now in a position where we’re aiming to get it rebuilt. We’ve been told by Westminster City Council that one of the first things they did with a pub called the Carlton Tavern which was demolished, is that they put an Asset of Community Value application in, and the reason for that was to increase its value and to push the legal case to get the government to agree to re-build it.”
Stopping Construction of Unsightly Developments
Following concerns raised by local residents, Sir Gavin Williamson has called on Stafford Borough Council to put a stop to inappropriate and unsightly distribution warehouses around Stone.
Sir Gavin has called on the Council to review its planning process and policies for granting planning permission for distribution centres, classified as B8 developments. This follows the granting of a planning application for a major distribution centre on the outskirts of Stone on the A34. This has caused considerable upset in the local area due to the development’s sheer size and impact on the local community. B8 developments include warehousing and open-air storage, suitable for areas of industrial or commercial activity.
When located close to residential areas, B8 developments cause disruption to local commuters and degrade the landscape. Sir Gavin demanded that the compatibility of future B8 developments with the surrounding area be more rigorously assessed, and that local interests be better protected.
Sir Gavin said: “It has been a great disappointment to many that Stafford Borough Council showed little consideration for residents when approving such a large distribution centre near Stone. The development is too close to Stone for local opinion on the site to be given little priority. I have called on Stafford Borough Council to look at the policies in place regarding planning permission, to make sure we don’t have even more of these developments.”
“Most residents in Stone see the development of these mega distribution warehouses on the outskirts of the town as completely inappropriate, out of keeping and not in the right location. As an advocate for our green spaces, I’m concerned that these large B8 developments disrupt the beauty of Staffordshire’s natural landscape and take away from local enjoyment of the area. I have urged Stafford Borough Council to ensure that these considerations are taken far more seriously when future developments are suggested, so that Stone does not fall victim to overbuilding.”
Leading the Campaign to Block Battery Developments in Residential Areas
Sir Gavin Williamson is spearheading a campaign to put a stop to proposals for a battery storage facility in Featherstone.
Sir Gavin is leading a campaign to block the plans which currently would infringe upon the residential areas of nearby Featherstone. Concerns have been raised by locals who fear that the high operating temperatures of such storage systems pose a fire risk which might endanger the public. There are confusions surrounding the eligibility of the site, as planning legislation dictates such battery storage systems should not be within 400 metres of residential property, however these proposals do not abide with this law. The plans have already received at least 37 objections, however, further action is necessitated by the fact that the District Council has yet to block the proposals.
The project has been put forward by Chiltern Green Energy, who want to install 80 batteries at the proposed site on New Road, Featherstone. The batteries would be 2.5 metres high and six metres long.
Locals are also concerned about the prospect that the site would take up land designated as the green belt. Residents are rightly angry that protected land is being used up by storage facilities that are industrial in size and disruptive to the local landscape. Sir Gavin has taken action in Westminster to call for an end to such proposals near residential sites, and on the green belt.
Sir Gavin has demanded answers from the Secretary for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, requesting that the required distance between residential properties and battery storage facilities be clearly outlined. This hopes to inform action that will be taken against the proposals. Sir Gavin has also called on the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay, to clarify and potentially reform the process for companies to apply for land for such developments, as it should not be possible for companies to purchase land intended for inappropriate uses.
Sir Gavin said: “It is unacceptable that residents of Featherstone are being put at risk for the development of a battery storage facility on our green belt. The facility is a fire risk, and residents nearby should have been a priority considering this. Several towns in Staffordshire are also losing the green belt which surrounds them. This should be protected, and if we’re not careful, we will end up replacing it with an industrial park. I am determined to stop this from happening. I’m going to meet with Police and Fire Commissioner Ben Adams in Staffordshire to discuss what we can do to stop it.”
Celebrating Community Values in Essington
Sir Gavin Williamson joined Essington Parish Council for their Celebration of Service in the Community awards.
Sir Gavin attended the awards ceremony, which takes place annually in St John’s Church, Essington, to recognise those who work hard to maintain the heart of village life, going over and above for their neighbours around them. The service enables those good Samaritans to feel appreciated and pulls the community together. Reverend Helen Duckett lead the service with hymns, and others in the parish council, James Morris and Kris Markiewicz, provided refreshments and flowers for the congregation. Sir Gavin was pleased to be given the honour of presenting the awards.
Sir Gavin said: “It was a real privilege to be asked to present the awards to those in Essington who have demonstrated such humility, generosity of spirit, and selflessness for those in their community. I was pleased to see that so many awards were presented, as there are so many in Essington that have proven themselves to uphold these community values. Essington remains a village where neighbourly commitments are strong, and it is great to see that people look after each other. I would like to thank the Reverend Helen Duckett for her wonderful service, and Essington Parish Council for arranging such an uplifting event.”
