Council unveils plans to restore derelict city centre site

A stretch of abandoned houses and derelict land in Stoke-on-Trent will be transformed into a development of up to 141 homes if local authority plans are given the go-ahead.

Much of the council-owned, city-centre site has already been cleared, but some empty terraced houses, plus a former pub and a canal-side warehouse remain and would be pulled down to make way for the regeneration project.

The council’s planning application states it would create a “site-specific response to a derelict brownfield site, which is bordered to the south by the Caldon Canal” that would “respond to the site context, as well as integrate with the adjacent existing residential communities”.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’re determined to get the site moving and bring much-needed new homes to this part of the city… Critically, this is a brownfield site which has sat empty for far too long, and I am determined we see progress.”

He added that there were plans to close off much of the site shortly to prevent the “persistent fly tipping and anti-social behaviour” that had been blighting the area.

Across the city, in the northeastern Smallthorne district, residents are also calling for action on a derelict historic property, which has lain empty for two decades.

Ford Green House was built in the mid-19^th century. When it was sold in 2004 it was listed as having six bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus a lounge, conservatory and two garages. Five years later it was due to be demolished to make way for 10 new homes but was later reprieved following discussions between the developer and the city council.

However, despite several campaigns to restore the historic building, it has been subject to multiple arson attacks and has become a magnet for rough sleeping and antisocial behaviour.

Local resident Karl Knapper told Stoke Live: “It is such a shame. They are never going to restore it now. It sets on fire every year. It is unfortunate but I think it is going to have to come down.”