At a recent Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Planning meeting, it would appear outline planning permission has been granted to create a new station at Cornhill to the South of the original site.
The application was made by Dominic Hughes to develop land owned by the Hughes family (formerly Hughes Concrete Products) which includes housing, plus land set aside for a canal marina and a site for a new station building, platform and car parking.
Some weeks ago, the original planning application was rejected by SMDC, however amendments were made and the application re-submitted and approved.
This means that in theory, there is now a sensible site designated for a new station in Leek, with good road access. Funding the station building and reinstating track ¾ mile from Leekbrook will now depend upon a development project at Leekbrook triangle, sponsored by Moorland City Railways.
Churnet Valley Railway have been closely involved with the proposals to create a new station at Leek and see the recent SMDC decision as a major step forward to getting CVR connected to the nearest major town and tourist hub.
The new site although on the South West edge of the town is close to the A53 at Sunnyhills Estate and could eventually be linked to the A520 Leek to Stone Road.
Note: The original station was closed in 1970 and a preservation attempt in 1972 by the NSRC failed and the extensive station buildings and sidings were demolished. Today Morrison’s Supermarket occupies the site just off the A53.