A planning application has been refused to convert an old Brown Edge post office into living accommodation.

The application was submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council this week by a Mr Chris Willis, and relates to the old post office on 194, High Lane, Brown Edge.

Biddulph Nub News reported back in 2020 how planning permission was previously granted to convert the post office into a part of a residential home, after it was ruled that planning permission was not needed for the proposed conversion.

However, those plans appeared to indicate that only part of the post office was converted last year, with the new application aiming to convert the rest of the post office into another home, combining with the already converted area to create a total of two homes in the old post office building.

A planning statement submitted as part of the new plans said: "This revised planning application proposes the change of use of the former post office to provide additional living accommodation to serve the existing dwellinghouse at no.194 High Lane.

"The resultant accommodation of the dwelling will comprise of a living room, hallway, dining room, kitchen, utility, shower room and integral garage at ground floor with four bedrooms and bathroom at first floor."

The post office ceased operations from High Lane in 2020 and the village's post office has since been relocated to the mini-supermarket.

The planning statement added: "The proposed change of use of the former post office to provide additional living accommodation to serve the existing dwelling on site is acceptable in principle and will not disadvantage local residents as there is an existing alternative facility of the same type and quality to meet their ongoing needs.

"The proposed development will furthermore serve to enhance the external appearance of the building, removing the existing poor quality elements and providing an external finish that is wholly in keeping with the wider character and appearance of the surrounding area. No harm will furthermore ensue to neighbouring residential amenity or to highway safety."

However, the district council's planning officers have since refused the application as they felt that the proposed changes to the exterior of the building would be at odds with the appearance of the surrounding area.

A report by the planning officers concluded: "The proposed use of silicone render to cover the whole of the existing dwelling, the existing garage, would not relate well to the prevailing pallet of facing materials shared by this dwelling and type and that of its neighbours within the locality.

"Red brick is the dominant material and sections of render or tile cladding are used to provide detailing and accent. This would make for a dwelling in an exposed and prominent location that is odds with the character and appearance of the streetscene.

"This would be harmful to patterns of visual continuity and a shared identity and would adversley effect the character and appearance of the area and fail to preserve local distinctiveness."