Local people’s views are to be sought as part of a major study on the future of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has announced an exciting piece of work to develop a 10-year plan for the city centre. Understanding people’s views will be key to ensuring a successful city centre for the future where people want to live, work and enjoy. The consultation is planned to start in the summer and its findings will feed into the wider Local Plan for the city.
The announcement comes on the back of UKREiiF, the UK’s largest property event, where the city council has launched its Investment Prospectus, featuring a range of development and investment opportunities, many in the city centre or impacting its success. The council is now keen to build on these opportunities to ensure the city centre works as a whole and meets the need of residents into the future.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said “This is an exciting time for Stoke-on-Trent. We have a number of major projects in progress or preparing to start. We need a joined-up approach to maximise the potential for the city and local people. We’re really excited to embark on this journey with our residents as understanding their views and experiences are key to this process.”
Ahead of UKREiiF, the council launched a residential development opportunity for Etruscan Square, a large cleared site next to the city centre. With scope for up to 300 new homes, this will help revitalise the city centre. In addition, the Smithfield business quarter, and chosen location of the Home Office, is building on its success with expansion plans. The refurbishment of the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery (PMAG) will provide a stunning focal point. Work has also started on the transformation of the Station Gateway and attractive travel route along College Road; helping to link the station to the city centre and centres of employment.
Councillor Ashworth continued: “We want to develop a viable proposal for the city centre. The starting point will be to understand the big issues affecting people’s experience of the city centre and how to make it work better and to improve lives. This will shape key themes for the development of the plan.”
Initial views will be sought from the public which will be developed into more detailed thematic workshops to help shape the plan. More details around the timetable for consultation will be announced over coming weeks.
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