A new £500m regeneration scheme moved a step closer after plans for the project, which include the proposed construction of a hotel, new office space, a multi-storey car park with 1,400 spaces, 650 flats and 150 houses near to Stafford railway station, were approved.

The borough council’s cabinet gave the proposals the go-ahead, meaning that a detailed application for the Stafford Gateway Masterplan project can now be compiled and submitted for planning consent.

The Stafford Gateway Masterplan has been planned on the back of HS2, which could see journey times slashed to under an hour from the county town.

Such a development could see the railway station also being opened up on the opposite side, providing access to and from the new development.

Reflecting on the planned scheme last month, borough council leader Patrick Farrington said: “Our borough is growing and we have big ambitions for it.

“HS2 has presented an opportunity to deliver substantial economic growth and regeneration across the town. We want to ensure we have a vibrant town centre for the future – knowing that more residents and office workers in town will provide a boost to the High Street – and we will be studying these exciting plans very closely to ensure we are creating the right environment for businesses to flourish, for people to live, work and enjoy the area, and for communities to prosper.”

Farrington added: “Our borough is rightly seen as a great place to invest because of our position at the centre of the UK, with fantastic transport links.

“Recent figures show more than £1.5bn has been invested in, or planned for, the area but we will not forget to protect what we already have – a safe, clean and green borough with an excellent quality of life.”