Listed building redevelopment at Former Tunstall Library And Baths, Drill Hall And 17-19 Greengates Street, Tunstall

The site and buildings

The vacant site contains a Grade II listed library and baths, a non-designated drill hall and buildings within the Park Terrace Conservation Area.

“The Tunstall Public Library and Baths building is a grade II listed building (list entry no. 1195847) and the drill hall is identified as a non-designated heritage asset in the Park Terrace Conservation Area Appraisal. All the buildings are currently vacant with the former library vacated in 2022, the baths were closed in 2011 and the snooker hall within the drill hall closed in 2023.”

“The application site is located within the built-up area of Tunstall, just outside of the Tunstall Town Centre boundary. Most of the site is located within the Park Terrace Conservation Area (apart from part of the corporation yard), which comprises the former Tunstall Library and Baths (a grade II listed building) and the former Drill Hall (a non-designated heritage asset as identified in the Park Terrace Conservation Area Appraisal).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the works would cause upper-end less-than-substantial heritage harm without sufficient justification, and public benefits would not outweigh it.

“While the tilted balance is engaged, paragraph 11(d) does not disapply or override the statutory duty relating to listed buildings, nor the requirement within paragraph 215 of the NPPF to give great weight to the conservation of heritage assets. In this instance, the identified heritage harm is of a high order within the “less than substantial” category, and the public benefits - when realistically and robustly assessed - are not sufficient to outweigh that harm.”

“Recommendation: Refuse for the following reason: 1. The proposed development would result in harm to the significance of designated heritage assets, identified as being at the upper end of less than substantial harm. In accordance with Section 16(2) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, this harm is of considerable importance and should be afforded great weight.”

Officer report

What consultees and others said

The Heritage Officer and Historic England objected, while the Potteries Heritage Society raised no issue if works met high conservation standards.

“It is considered that the proposal does not meet paragraphs 210, 212 and 215 of the NPPF, with regards to the proposed alterations and justification with regards to harm.”

“Material 3 rd Party Comments Received Total representations received: 1 Representations summarised: - Potteries Heritage Society: No issues with the proposals provided that the works are carried out to high conservation standards.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A third-party speaker spoke against the development, while the developer and agent attended to answer members’ questions.

The decision

“Resolved – That the application be refused for the reason (1) as outlined within the report submitted. (CHAIR)”

Minutes, 15 Jul 2026