White House plans given go ahead

The businessman behind the scheme is now asking firms to come forward and help complete his vision.

Fred Pritchard purchased the White House for an undisclosed fee and announced his vision to bring it back into use earlier this year.

The proposals for the striking Grade II* listed property on High Green will see transformed into restaurants and restored as a wedding venue.

They also include converting rooms on the upper floors into homes while other spaces will accommodate small businesses such as a photography studio or health and beauty salon.

Now, planning chiefs at Cannock Chase District Council have given their seal of approval to the plans, with work set to get under way in the coming weeks.

Mr Pritchard said that work should take about six months to complete.

He said: "This regeneration will put Cannock Chase once more in the spotlight.

"People will come from all around to enjoy not only the benefits and beauty of the Chase but a regenerated Cannock town with niche boutique shops and delicious eateries.

"Like a phoenix rising from the ashes The Whitehouse is set to restore its focal place facing the ancient bowling green and providing a historic back drop to this much-loved area."

Despite the plans already put in place by Mr Pritchard, he is still seeking businesses to come forward and help complete the restoration.

He said: "We are looking for established entrepreneurs to see this vision through once the building is completed, which will take probably a six-month time span and cost in excess of one million pounds."

The White House was built in 1783 as a family home for Sir Robert Fisher and was the first in the town to have its own water pump.

Among its many residents through the decades was Captain William Cary, who attended Rugeley Grammar School and became Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire.

It was also home to Frederick Gilpin, owner of several factories and one of the town's biggest employers.

Staffordshire County Council acquired it in June 1981 for it to be used by Cannock Chase Technical College which merged into South Staffordshire College in 2009.

It was declared surplus to requirements in 2015 and went on the market with a price tag of £500,000.