Stoke-on-Trent City Council is moving forward with an ambitious plan to transform Hanley into a vibrant place to live, work and visit. The City Centre Masterplan is due to go to the council's Cabinet next week for approval.
If approved, the masterplan will provide a short and long-term vision for regenerating the city centre. It sets out a practical roadmap for attracting investment, unlocking development opportunities and creating a city centre that meets the needs of current and future generations.
What the masterplan includes
The plan focuses on delivering more high-quality housing, improving public spaces, strengthening transport links, supporting businesses and making better use of key sites across the city centre.
The short-term vision includes an aspiration for 750 new homes on brownfield city centre sites, with an additional 1,800 people expected to be living in the city centre by 2030. This increase in residents is intended to boost footfall and activity in Hanley.
A key aim is creating a city centre that people actively choose to spend time in throughout the day and evening. The masterplan seeks to strengthen the retail, leisure and hospitality offer, supporting shops, cafes, restaurants, cultural attractions and public spaces.
Transport and connectivity
The masterplan recognises that successful city centres depend on excellent transport connections. It complements major investment already being made in transport across Stoke-on-Trent, including improvements to bus services, walking and cycling routes, public spaces and wider transport infrastructure.
Delivery mechanisms
The masterplan is not simply a vision document. It identifies a realistic programme of projects and opportunities that can be delivered through partnerships between the city council, government, developers, businesses, public sector organisations and local communities.
The council is considering the creation of an Urban Development Corporation (UDC) as a delivery model. The council believes a UDC could provide the powers, expertise and focus needed to accelerate regeneration, unlock complex sites and attract private and public investment into the city centre. This would require Government support, in the absence of a Mayoral authority.
The masterplan has been strengthened by close engagement with Government, reflecting growing confidence in Stoke-on-Trent's potential, with support particularly from Homes England helping to shape the plans.