‘VANDALISM IS NO JOKE’: SEE PAGE 18

HOMES ON THE WAY: A derelict allotment site in Stoke-on-trent is being cleared to make way for 11 new family homes. Stoke-on-trent Housing Society is transforming the site, off Wellesley Street in Shelton, into a new housing development made up of one detached house, six semi-detached houses and four flats.

The project is being supported by £517,000 of grant funding from Stokeon-trent City Council and work to clear the site is now officially underway. The new homes are expected to be completed by January 2024. They will remain in the ownership of Stokeon-trent

Housing Society and will be available for rent.

Councillor Carl Edwards, cabinet member for environment and housing, said: “The site off Wellesley Street has not been used as an allotment for a good many years and it has unfortunately become prone to flytipping.

“So we are really pleased to have been able to support this development and bring the site back into use.” Above, from left, are Councillor Carl Edwards, Matt Nixon, project lead for housing at Stoke-on-trent City Council and Howard Cartwright, secretary of Stoke-on-trent Housing Society.