Vicarage demolition recommended

29 January 2013 Last updated at 14:17 ET

Plans to demolish a 19th Century vicarage in Stoke-on-Trent have been recommended for approval.

Ceramics firm Steelite International wants to knock down the Heaths building in Newcastle Street, Burslem, as part of a 12m expansion of its factory.

Planners at the city council said the benefits of the plan outweighed any impact upon Stoke's heritage assets.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and more than 330 people, who have backed a petition, are among the objectors.

The demolition of the 1858 building is among three applications for the site which have been recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

The plans will be considered by the Labour-run council's development management committee on 5 February.

HLF invested 300,000 to help refurbish the old vicarage in 2008.

The fund's Reyahn King said it had invested more than 8m in regeneration schemes in Burslem and would have "serious concerns about the authority's commitment to local history" if the demolition was approved.

Meanwhile, objectors who have backed an online petition say the Heaths building has "significant historical importance" and should be preserved.

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Vicarage demolition recommended