£700K PLAN TO TURN A DERELICT CAR PARK INTO HOUSING ESTATE
Funding will allow council to tackle issues of contamination
TAXPAYERS’ cash is to be used to turn a derelict former car park into a housing estate.
Stoke-on-trent City Council has been awarded £700,000 from the government to get the land – off Booth Street in Stoke – ready for developers.
The funds will be used to tackle ground contamination and stability issues on the former waste disposal and depot site, which was later used as a car park.
The council – which bid for the funding – has previously revealed plans for 30 homes on the site.
Councillor Carl Edwards, below, cabinet member for housing and the environment, said: “It’s fantastic news that we have received this money to allow us to accelerate the redevelopment of this site.
“A new housing era is underway in Stoke-on-trent and we’re focused on helping people step into home ownership by building a wider range of houses for owner-occupiers, as well as building more custom and self-build homes.
“The site is a stone’s throw away from Stoke town centre, so redeveloping it with housing will support shops and businesses by providing increased footfall.
“It would also breathe further new life into an area which has already been transformed with the housing redevelopment on the site of the old Victoria Ground just around the corner.
“Any future housing development on the site would feature a significant number of affordable housing, including the provision of social rent homes for older people, and homes for people looking to get a foot on the property ladder.
“The first step is obviously tackling the issues with the land on the site and unlocking it for development, which this money will allow us to do.
“We have a very impressive track record for bringing forward housing developments on brownfield land, and this project will carry on that good work, and significantly improve the appearance of the area.
“We will make sure there is a contract clause in any future development that requires local apprentices and sub-contractors being used, to make sure we keep the Stoke pound in Stoke.”