New Werrington Co-op approved for Ash Bank Road despite traffic concerns

Plans for a larger Co-op store in Werrington have been approved, despite concerns over traffic, parking and road safety around the Ash Bank Road site.

THE SIGNAL BRIEF

What’s new: Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has approved plans for Werrington’s Co-op to relocate around 250 metres to derelict land off Ash Bank Road.

Why it matters: Councillors raised concerns about traffic, parking and pedestrian safety around the site, particularly during school drop off and pick up times.

Worth knowing: The previous relocation proposal was refused in 2024 over its design. The revised scheme includes a pitched roof and red brick finish, and is expected to create four additional jobs.

This article is based on reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a BBC funded initiative set up to strengthen reporting on local democratic issues. The Staffordshire Signal has taken part in the scheme since September 2026, which means we're able to draw on a selection of LDRS stories alongside our own.

Plans have been approved for a village shop to move 250 metres after an earlier application was refused. Derelict land off Ash Bank Road in Werrington is set to be the new location for the Co-op store.

The former store on Washerwall Lane is ‘no longer fit for purpose’, according to planning documents. However, 2024 plans to relocate the store were refused by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council over the design of the building.

The plans will see existing farm buildings on the site demolished and new access created from Ash Bank Road. However, a number of concerns were raised over the impact on traffic and road safety.

Objecting councillor Pat Hughes said: “Alongside this busy main road are two schools. They create significant peak periods, morning and afternoons five days a week, commuter traffic streams up and down the Ashbank, while the school run is in operation, it is chronic and unpredictable, with over 1,000 children and teenagers walking or being dropped off.

“People park anywhere and everywhere, streets, the village hall and despite the signage the doctors, library and pharmacy.”

She added: “Moving the Co-op to the opposite side of this arterial road will, I believe, exacerbate, not alleviate the situation as pass by trade stops to buy and pedestrians crossing increases. Why were the traffic surveys which inform the modelling not conducted during these peak periods.”

Staffordshire County Council Highways did not object to the proposals. The plans will involve no existing jobs lost and will create a further four positions due to the larger store.

Planning consultant and agent Katia Mawson said that the design of the building has been shaped by local residents and previous comments on the proposals. The committee heard that a number of changes have been made, including a pitched roof and a red brick finish.

She told the planning committee: “The application follows a previous application submitted on the site also on behalf of Co-op. This was refused in May 2024 on a single ground relating to design and this reason was subsequently upheld at appeal.

“Whilst ultimately dismissed, the inspector, like officers, confirmed that the proposals were acceptable on all other grounds, including in respect of retail development on the site and highways. The only consideration should therefore be whether the sole reason for refusal has been addressed.”

Councillor Paul Roberts told fellow councillors that highways issues were still a concern for him. He said: “The car park has 17 spaces. I don’t think it is sufficient. We’ve got a village hall car park that’s got 42 spaces in, we’ve also got a pub which has got another 40.

“That is jam packed with school children and parents. That car park no matter what happens, unless you get a member of staff to stand out there and ask a person whether they are coming into the shop or picking your kids up. You’ve got no way of stopping them and they’ll park anywhere.”

Councillors at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council voted to approve the plans, with two members voting against. Councillor Keith Hoptroff said: “It is a lot better than the previous design we turned down.

“It would be a great asset for the expanding village with modern shopping facilities and will ensure Co-op’s presence in the village for many years to come, but it needs careful monitoring of the deliveries and probably keeping away from school drop off and pick up times.”

Written by Jonathan Sutton, Local Democracy Reporter.

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