200 JOBS WOULD BE CREATED IN PLAN FOR 114 CITY CENTRE FLATS
Three blocks aimed at young professionals
MORE than 100 flats could be built on derelict land in the city centre.
Oasis International Investments Ltd has submitted plans for a nine-storey complex consisting of 114 apartments and 1,082 square metres of retail and office space, on a site off Marsh Street North in Hanley.
The scheme would feature three blocks – one nine-storey, one sevenstorey and one four-storey.
According to the outline planning application, there would be 54 onebedroom flats, 46 two-bedroom and 14 flats with three bedrooms, while the commercial space would occupy the ground floor.
Part of the site is currently used as a private car park but it is mostly scrubland which has overgrown since the demolition of a previous building.
The applicants say that it has become a ‘hot spot for anti-social behaviour’ and a ‘dumping ground.’
According to the plans, the proposed development would bring a derelict site back into use, boost the local economy and help meet local demand for housing.
The flats will be aimed at young professionals, mature students and potentially young families.
It is expected that the construction of the complex will create 200 jobs, while up to 30 people could be employed in the new shops and in the management of the flats.
The proposed office provision would be a ‘co-working space’ capable of hosting more than 30 companies.
The application states: “The development has the benefit of broadening the choice of high-quality accommodation in the city, which helps contribute towards attracting people of all ages to the area which would in turn have a positive knockon effect to the local economy.
“It is considered therefore that the proposal would contribute to the continued regeneration of the city centre, thus providing wider social and economic benefits as a result of increased investment and spending within the city.
“The development would assist in helping to build a strong economy by creating employment during the construction phase, along with permanent employment being generated by the new use.”
The site would have two main entrance points, one from Marsh
Street North and the other off Black Horse Lane, each served with a different parking area.
The lower parking area for the flats could have 24 spaces, while the upper for the offices could have 14 spaces.
Planners at Stoke-on-trent City Council are expected to make a decision on the plans by June 29.