Plans to Turn Former Wilko Building in Hanley into 73 Flats Among Latest Staffordshire Planning Applications

Plans to convert the upper floors of a prominent Hanley building into 73 apartments are among the latest planning applications submitted across Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Staffordshire Moorlands.

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.

The upper floors of a large shop building in Hanley could be converted into dozens of flats.

Much of the Stafford Street premises is vacant, following the closure of the city centre’s Wilko branch in 2023, but some ground floor units remain open and include Savers and Ryman.

A planning application has been submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council to create 73 apartments in the building. Permission is also being sought in a separate application for external alterations including installing additional windows to an internal courtyard area

The ground floors of the 1960s building, which was originally a branch of C&A, are set to remain mainly in commercial use. The vacant upper floors were previously used as offices by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Two flats are proposed for the lower ground floor and five on the ground floor. There would be 33 on the first floor and 33 on the second floor and a mix of one-and two-bedroom apartments is planned.

Listed below are planning applications published online by councils in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire in recent weeks

Stoke-on-Trent City Council

26/PRA/01185: Installation of roof mounted (PV) solar panels on existing building under Schedule 2, Part 14, Class J of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (prior approval) at Westbridge Quality Furniture, Whittle Road, Meir Park, ST3 7TU

26/PRA/01100: Change of use to 73 apartments (Use Class C3) (prior approval) at 1-15 Stafford Street, Hanley, ST1 1JQ

26/FUL/01101: External alterations including the creation of atrium through the removal of an existing internal courtyard, replacement windows and associated works at 1-15 Stafford Street, Hanley, ST1 1JQ

26/HOU/01114: Single storey rear extension, conversion of existing garage space and elevational alterations at 9 Roseacre Grove, Lightwood, ST3 7HR

26/HOU/01112: Removal of existing outbuildings, proposed single storey side and rear extension and side dormer with associated roof works at The Glade, The Green, Baddeley Green, ST2 7HF

26/HOU/01025: Single storey rear extension at 5 Clarke Street, Shelton, ST1 4PT

26/HOU/00909: Retention of boundary fencing and gates to the side and rear of the dwelling at 4 Garbett Street, Goldenhill, ST6 5RQ

26/FUL/00736: Change of use to children’s care home (Use Class C2) at 6 Chatterley Road, Tunstall, ST6 5JF

26/FUL/00673: Change of use to a alternative provision vocational education and skills centre (Use Class F1(a)) at Creative Innovation Centre, Cross Hill, Burslem, ST6 3JY

26/DEM/01126: Demolition of two pavilion buildings and associated structures (prior approval) at Fenton Park Pavilions, Bassilow Road, Fenton, ST4 2HQ

26/CLE/01047: Existing lawful development certificate for fencing at Wharflane House, 34 Rectory Road, Shelton, ST1 4PW

26/CLE/01035: Certificate of (existing) Lawful Development for wastewater treatment infrastructure to support the operation of Burslem Treatment Works on land west of Newport Lane, Mowden Park, Longport, ST6 3NF

26/AD/00963: Four internally illuminated shaped flex face, three non-illuminated shaped flex face, one digitally printed vinyl graphic and one flat ACM panel with digitally printed graphics advertisement at UK Storage Company (SW) Limited, Units 8 to 10, Tunstall Trade Park, Brownhills Road, Tunstall, ST6 4SE

26/SCR/01226: Screening opinion to confirm if Environmental Impact Assessment is required in respect of a proposed residential development at former Staffordshire Waste (scrapyard), Porthill Road, Longport

26/PNH/01211: Rear single-storey extension at 10 Elder Road, Cobridge, ST6 2HE

26/FUL/01151: Erection of two mobile classrooms to provide eight additional classrooms, along with access ramps and separate WC blocks for a temporary period only at Milton Primary Academy, Leek Road, Milton, ST2 7AF

26/FUL/00866: Erection of a detached warehouse at 1 Sandgate Street, Longton, ST3 1UH

26/CLP/00967: Certificate of lawful (proposed) development for a change of use to a children’s care home at Oak House, Birches Rise, Birches Head, ST1 2JH

Newcastle Borough Council

26/00789/PLDLB: Application for certificate of lawfulness of proposed works to a listed building – Replacement log burner, replacement cowl and flue liner. Possible alterations to chimney pot. Remove mantle and brick pillars at Aston Manor, Aston, TF9 4JB

24/00023/2CN18: Approval of a soil contamination assessment as required by condition 18 of planning permission 24/00023/FUL (residential development – 21 dwellings with associated access, landscaping and wider works) on land at junction of High Street and Lower Milehouse Lane, Newcastle

26/00783/PLD: Construction of new rear dormer to form new first floor accommodation including the introduction of roof lights at 18 Leys Drive, Newcastle, ST5 3JG

26/00778/PLD: Single storey extension to rear together with garage conversion at 3 Blakeney Avenue, Clayton, ST5 4HN

26/00777/FUL: Single storey rear extension and garage conversion at 59 Abbots Way, Westlands, Newcastle, ST5 2EY

26/00779/FUL: Application to vary conditions 5 and 7 of 26/00116/FUL (new driveway to Southlands to provide safer access to and from the dwelling) at Southlands, Mill Lane, Madeley, CW3 9JW

26/00772/FUL: Single storey side extension at 5 Meadow Way, Baldwins Gate, ST5 5DG

26/00784/AGR: Steel framed lean-to building off existing agricultural building at Upper House Farm, Pinfold Lane, Almington, TF9 2PL

26/00782/FUL: First floor side extension alongside single storey/part double storey rear extension with garage conversion including extension to existing dropped kerb with new permeable driveway at 51 Paris Avenue, Newcastle, ST5 2RQ

26/00766/FUL: Walk-in external freezer at 87 St Bernards Road, Knutton, ST5 6HL

26/00760/PLD: Lawful development certificate for proposed portable short-wave amateur radio aerial at 8 Monks Close, Newcastle, ST5 3QU

26/00479/NMA: Non-material amendment relating to alterations to 26/00479/FUL (installation of combined defibrillator and bleed kit cabinet to external wall of Nationwide Building Society branch) – alteration to design of combined defibrillator and bleed kit cabinet at 108 High Street, Newcastle, ST5 1PZ

26/00732/FUL: 10 supported living homes, comprising eight apartments and two bungalows, together with a separate administration building providing staff and operational facilities on land rear of 5 Cherry Hill Lane and adj Church Lane, Knutton

26/00725/PLDLB: Certificate of lawfulness of proposed works to a Listed Building: Installation of one additional electrical socket in the existing basement to power a standalone chest freezer for the ground-floor grocery shop. The work is minor, reversible, and confined to the modern basement service area, with no structural alterations and no change to any historic fabric or to the external appearance of the building at 11 Lancaster Building, High Street, Newcastle, ST5 1PG

26/00687/FUL: Change of use to two tourist holiday let units at Blore Heath Farm, Newcastle Road, Bloreheath, TF9 2EG

26/00799/TDET: Installation of a replacement 30m-high telecommunications monopole accommodating up to 12 antenna and up to four transmission dishes, plus accompanying ground-based equipment cabinets within a fenced, secure compound; and ancillary development thereto at Communication Station, Pepper Street, Keele

26/00798/TWA: T1 Sycamore – fell due to concerns about safety, to reduce overbearing shading and alleviate a nuisance to neighbours. The tree would be replaced with a Field Maple. T2 Sycamore – following removal of T1 there would be some pruning required to address the one sided nature of this tree. Ts Cherry – raise crown over footpath to three metres at 2 The Crossway, May Bank, ST5 0RZ

24/00795/CN16: Application for approval of the precise details (samples) of all facing materials as required by condition 16 of 24/00795/FUL (re-purposing of an existing shopping centre into commercial units at ground floor and 42 apartments on upper floors) at 5-7 York Place, Newcastle, ST5 2AH

24/00795/CN05: Application for approval of a traffic management scheme as required by condition 5 of 24/00795/FUL at 5-7 York Place, Newcastle, ST5 2AH

26/00785/ADV: Signage consisting of one flexface box with digitally printed skin 4000 x 4000mm, one flat aluminium panel 13130 x 705mm, one flat aluminium circle/arrow and letters 1500 x 1784mm, eight folded aluminium panels consisting of one at 5800 x 705mm, one at 3800 x 705mm, three at 600 x 330mm, two at 1000 x 800mm and one at 450 x 450mm at B and Q DIY Supercentre, Jamage Industrial Estate, Pit Lane, Talke Pits, ST7 1TT

26/00742/FUL: Erection of a bungalow with associated private amenity space, parking provision and access arrangements and revised parking arrangements at 5 Holden Avenue, May Bank, ST5 0NX

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

DET/2026/0043: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a conversion into two dwellinghouses. The barn is found to the south of the farm along the east edge of the access track at Franklins Farm, Meerbrook Road, Leek, ST13 8SH

SMD/2026/0500: Portal frame agricultural building at Stonelowe Hall, Leek Road, Longsdon, ST9 9QF

CON/2026/0084: Consultation request for NP/SM/1026/0976: replace the existing oil-fired heating system with a modern air source heat pump installation at Harewood Cottage Levens, Weags Bridge Road, Grindon, ST13 7TP

CON/2026/0083: Consultation request for NP/SM/1026/0970: replacement of the existing detached single storey garage with new detached single storey garage for two cars at Shorecroft, Back Lane, Warslow, SK17 0JL

CON/2026/0082: Consultation request Re: S53 Application to upgrade footpaths Forsbrook 22 and Caverswall 34 and 35 to a Bridleway

SMD/2026/0498: Two storey rear extension to provide sun lounge, double bedroom with ensuite and relocated animal housing and associated external alterations. Single storey double replacement garage plus storage space built into the embankment at Haven Henshalls Bank, Congleton Road, Mow Cop, ST7 3PL

SMD/2026/0496: Erection of two storey rear extension at Rock Cottage Farm, Blakeley Lane, Moneystone, Oakamoor, ST10 3DX

SMD/2026/0494: Single and two storey extension and detached garage at 65 Lea Bank, Dilhorne Road, Cheadle, ST10 1PT

DOC/2026/0104: Discharge of conditions 3, 5 and 7 relating to SMD/2025/0443 (change of use of first and second floor to a three bed apartment, demolition of rear store, insertion of two new windows, bi fold doors and roof lantern to existing rear flat roof extension) at 39 St Edward Street, Leek, ST13 5DN

DOC/2026/0103: Discharge of conditions 3, 4, 5 and 6 relating to SMD/2025/0444 (internal and external alterations) at 39 St Edward Street, Leek, ST13 5DN

SMD/2026/0495: General purpose agricultural building at Ward Hill Farm, Sheepwash, Caverswall, ST11 9EX

SMD/2026/0478: Outline application with some matters reserved regarding up to 165 dwellings with access to be considered (all other matters reserved) on land north of Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9HY

SMD/2026/0473: Erection of detached new dwelling including new drop kerbs and alterations to the boundary wall at 21 Brown Lees Road, Brown Lees, ST8 6PJ

DOC/2026/0098: Discharge of condition 5 in relation to SMD/2023/0594 (installation of a solar array, substation and associated works forming an extension to Blythe Solar Farm) on land at Blythe House Farm, south of the A50, Draycott in the Moors, ST10 4JN

DOC/2026/0097: Discharge of condition 5 in relation to SMD/2022/0160 (installation of solar farm with battery storage facility and associated works) at Upper Newton Farm, Draycott Road, Upper Tean, ST10 4JN

SMD/2026/0508: Variation of conditions 2 and 4 in relation to SMD/2022/0160 at Upper Newton Farm, Draycott Road, Upper Tean, ST10 4JN

SMD/2026/0430 and SMD/2026/0431: Internal and external alterations to dwelling including demolition of outdoor WC erection of front porch and single storey rear extension at Grange Farm, Blackwood Hill Lane, Gratton, Endon, ST9 9AH

SMD/2026/0492: Two storey extensions to existing care home and associated works at The Penn Care Complex, 18 The Terrace, Cheadle, ST10 1PA

NMA/2026/0025: Amendment to wording of conditions 19 and 20 relating to SMD/2019/0646 (reserved matters application proposing details for the appearance, scale, layout and landscaping for phase 1 of the leisure development comprising 190 lodges, erection of a new central hub building, reuse and external alterations to the existing office building to provide housekeeping and maintenance accommodation, children’s play areas, multi use games area, quarry park, car parking, refuse and lighting arrangements and managed footpaths, cycleways and bridleways set in attractive hard and soft landscaping) at Moneystone Quarry, Cheadle Road, Oakamoor, ST10 2DZ

DOC/2026/0107: Discharge of condition 27 in relation to SMD/2019/0646 at Moneystone Quarry, Cheadle Road, Oakamoor, ST10 2DZ

NMA/2026/0024: Amended wording for conditions 13, 24 and 25 attached to the outline permission SMD/2016/0378 (outline application with some matters reserved for the erection of a high quality leisure development comprising holiday lodges, a new central hub building, café, visitor centre with farm shop, administration building, maintenance building, archery centre, watersports centre, equipped play areas, multi-sports area, ropewalks, car parking and managed footpaths, cycleways and bridleways set in attractive landscaping and ecological enhancements) at Moneystone Quarry, Cheadle Road, Oakamoor, ST10 2DZ

DOC/2026/0109: Discharge of condition 5, 26, 35, 46 and 47 in relation to SMD/2016/0378 at Moneystone Quarry, Cheadle Road, Oakamoor, ST10 2DZ

SMD/2026/0516: Single storey rear extension and partial render finish to former extension at 15 Knype Way, Knypersley, ST8 6PT

SMD/2026/0514: Retrospective application for hay and tractor store at Hurston House, Hurstons Lane, Alton, ST10 4AP

SMD/2026/0513: Retrospective application for tractor store at Hurston House, Hurstons Lane, Alton, ST10 4AP

SMD/2026/0512: Erection of three two-storey three-bedroom detached houses with attached garages at Sunnyside Cottage, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0DT

SMD/2026/0509: Permission in Principle for a single residential dwelling on land off Hill Top, Brown Edge, ST6 8TY

SMD/2026/0510: Single storey part rear extension at 1 Hillside Close, Biddulph Moor, ST8 7PF

SMD/2026/0503: Erection of boundary fence at 8 Elm Close, Leek, ST13 8HT

SMD/2026/0502: Single storey side and rear extension and replacement porch at 1 Kniveden Lane, Leek, ST13 5BD

SMD/2026/0501: Link extension between dwelling and garage to form gym at Ackley House, Birchall Lane, Leek, ST13 5RA

SMD/2026/0499: Demolition of existing conservatory on side elevation and proposed single storey side extension, boundary fence, dropped kerb and parking area to front of property at 12 Brookside Drive, Endon, ST9 9HA

SMD/2026/0497: Demolition of conservatory and erection of two storey rear extension at 17 Wetenhall Drive, Leek, ST13 8HU

DOC/2026/0101: Application for the discharge of condition 12, relating to the surface water management scheme and associated details, of SMD/2022/0498 (hybrid planning application seeking full permission for an office building and its associated car parking and outline permission seeking approval of access all other matters reserved, for a laboratory building and its associated areas and reservation of land for future link road) at Croda Chemicals Europe Ltd, Barnfield Road, Leek, ST13 5QJ

SMD/2026/0477: Alterations to existing bungalow at Heakley, 68 High Lane, Brown Edge, ST6 8RU

DOC/2026/0095: Discharge of conditions 4, 8, 9 and 12 relating to SMD/2024/0074 (demolition of existing bungalow and 2 garages and construction of new dormer bungalow)at Manor Croft, Clewlows Bank, Bagnall, ST9 9LP

SMD/2026/0405: Single storey front extension to existing kitchen at 25 Hillside Road, Cheddleton, ST13 7JQ

Written by Kerry Ashdown, Local Democracy Reporter.

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