Millions more could be invested into hundreds of new homes in Stoke-on-Trent

Millions of pounds made from the sale of council houses could be pumped into housing if Stoke-on-Trent City Council agree next week.

The authority is set to decide exactly how much money it makes from the sale of council housing will go back into building and acquiring new homes.

The city council’s cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday 13 August to agree to retain over £3.5 million in Right to Buy receipts generated from the sale of 126 council homes under the government’s Right to Buy (RTB) scheme, taking the total of receipts available to the council for 2023/24 to over £14.9 million.

Since September 2012, the council has held an agreement with government allowing it to retain 100% of the revenue generated from sales of council house through the RTB scheme on provision it uses the money, known as Right to Buy receipts or 1-4-1 receipts, to build or acquire new homes.

A portion of this money, which can be used to fund up to 50 per cent of the costs of a project, will be spent on developing land off Wellfield Road in Bentilee and Booth Street in Stoke. These sites could eventually house more than 260 new homes between them once they are cleared and prepared for building.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “We are committed to delivering more homes in the city and recognise that these homes need to be affordable, safe and decent. We want to empower our residents and give people more choice when it comes to deciding where they want to live.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is committed to developing even more homes in the city to ensure local families have a decent place to live.

Through its 2022-2027 Housing Strategy, the council has pledged to support the supply of affordable homes in the city, and meet the changing needs of residents by widening the choice of housing, delivering high-quality homes and attracting investment.

Now the authority is looking to make some progress with a number of housing projects across the city by agreeing additional investment.

Councillor Robinson added: “We are making significant progress in our work to improve our housing stock through our capital investment programme and, by agreeing to this additional investment, we will be able to ensure that everybody has a decent home to live in.

“It will also enable us to support other housing providers to buy and develop new homes in the city, too. We have recently taken on almost 40 homes at the new Hollington Grange development in Fegg Hayes where 157 homes have been built on the former Chatterley Whitfield Sports Ground, and this is a great example of what can be achieved.”