REGENERATION experts have been urged to find alternative premises for a ribbon factory after plans to build up to 200 homes on the site were approved.
Staffordshire Moorlands district councillors yesterday gave the go-ahead for developer Richborough Estates to create houses on the Selectus site in Biddulph.
Selectus had employed more than 400 workers at the Uplands Mill base in its heyday, but that fell to 40 as its fabrics production moved to China.
The firm, which has operated from the mill since 1936, made dozens of workers redundant in 2007.
And a report to councillors stated: "The loss of employment use is regrettable, but the applicant has argued there is little or no demand for this type of property for manufacturing.
"The company intends to transfer all but the specialist production to Selectus China.
Clip in hair extensions "They consider the remaining operation Clip in human hair extensions can easily be transferred to smaller premises which are readily available."
Councillor John Fisher told the meeting: "We are losing industrial sites across the Moorlands on a regular basis.
"The 40 people working there will want to relocate elsewhere in the town.
"I hope our regeneration department will help them help them to do that, so it is not lost to Biddulph and the Moorlands."
But Councillor Jim Davies said: "Forty years ago this was a pleasant greenfield site, but it is now a factory in a heavily populated area.
"Industry is now concentrated at Knypersley and this particular site is redundant."
Councillors were also told that it was the only brownfield site in the town to meet Biddulph's future housing needs.
But residents raised concerns about an increase in traffic.
Biddulph North Residents' Association vice-chairman Bob Hart said: "It surprises me that the highways authority has not made an application for a financial contribution for road modifications.
Mr Hard also raised concerns about nearby wildlife and the impact of extra residents on school places.
The area is a site of biological importance (SBI) and is home to a bat colony. Developers must create an artificial bat roost before demolition starts.
Richborough Estates will build two, three and four-bedroomed houses and one and two-bedroomed flats. One third will be affordable homes.
embroidered patches Work on the scheme is expected to start in the summer.
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