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# Council says it could not intervene to ensure facade of former Lichfield factory was saved
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/council-says-it-could-not-intervene-to-ensure-facade-of-former-lichfield-factory-was-saved/
- Published: 2022-04-12T11:47:26.000Z
- Updated: 2022-04-12T11:47:41.000Z
- Description: Lichfield District Council says it could not intervene to ensure the retention of parts of a former factory unit after a former staff member called for it to be saved.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Planning, Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:11, News

Lichfield District Council says it could not intervene to ensure the retention of parts of a former factory unit after a former staff member called for it to be saved.

![Demolition work taking place at the former GKN site](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/gkn2.jpg)

Demolition work taking place at the former GKN site

The GKN site is being cleared ahead of a redevelopment, with most of the site now reduced to rubble.

But one former employee said he was disappointed [a plea to save the former sandstone facade](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/ex-employee-disappointed-sandstone-facade-was-not-saved-at-demolished-lichfield-factory/) had fallen on deaf ears.

Mick Edmunds, who worked at GKN between 1979 and 2006, had appealed to the council to ensure the structure – which previously stood over the original entrance before being moved – would be retained as part of any new development.

> “Over the 60 years it was used, lots of families worked there from across the area.  
>  
> “Keeping the facade would have been a fitting tribute to all their hard work over the years.  
>  
> “I and lots of other ex-workers would have appreciated the council backing this idea.”  
>  
> Mick Edmunds

But a spokesperson for Lichfield District Council said the authority’s hands were tied once a planning consent had been given.

> “An application for prior notification of demolition at the GKN site was received and validated on 1st October 2021\.   
>  
> “The application was made correctly and the method of demolition and site restoration was assessed in conjunction with the council’s environmental health team and the county highway authority.   
>  
> “The GKN building was not protected and did not sit with a protected area, for example a conservation area.  
>  
> “Lichfield District Council has no control over the retention of specific parts of a building under a prior notice application.  
>  
> “A planning application for the redevelopment of the site has not yet been submitted.”  
>  
> Lichfield District Council spokesperson