B&Q given green light on key land
PROPOSALS to build a B&Q store and other shops on a key regeneration site will go ahead.
Developer Lear Management wants to create 520 jobs by building the units on derelict land between Waterloo Road and Century Street, in Hanley.
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VISION: An artist's impression of the B&Q store.
The proposals are part of a larger scheme which includes the building of a hotel, casino and cinema, as well as the elusive "golden half-mile" of Stoke-on-Trent's ring road.
Yesterday Stoke-on-Trent city councillors visited the site before making a decision to permit the plans.
All but one member of the development control committee voted in favour.
Councillor Ross Irving said he welcomed the scheme.
He said: "It was fairly controversial when it came out, but I do think it offers the chance to enlarge Hanley town centre, as well as form a link between that and Festival Park.
"It will also create a missing link in the ring road.
"It's an exciting project. We need that area of Hanley to be developed."
Councillor Denver Tolley said he hopes the scheme will go ahead as planned.
He said: "The regeneration of that area will drive out anti-social behaviour.
"The scheme will complement the centre of Hanley, and draw people to it. It's a very positive step forward.
"Competition drives down prices, and that will be good for the people who live in Stoke-on-Trent and who visit it."
Lear Management had already been granted permission for much of the scheme, which includes restaurants, shops, an eight-screen Vue cinema, a Clermont Leisure casino and a hotel.
But some retailers have raised concerns over whether the development will draw people away from the city centre.
Councillor Brian Ward said: "Out-of-town developments detract from the urban core.
"This scheme goes against our development plan and planning process, yet it was still passed, despite the fact it will be detrimental to the city centre.
"I think the development will create a donut effect. We'll be building more and more places like Festival Park away from the city centre, and there will be nothing in the middle.
"It will be another nail in the coffin for Hanley."
Richard Day, chairman of the City Centre Chamber Of Trade, said the scheme would be good for the area as long as it does not affect retail outlets in the centre of Hanley.
He said: "It's good news that we have now at long last had the planning permission granted on this site as it has been dormant for quite some time.
"It is currently an ugly looking site acting as a gateway to the city centre.
"This scheme will mean the ring road from Sainsbury's to Waterloo Road can be completed, which will help with traffic movements, particularly in the Marsh Street area.
"The main concern is that it must not take retail trade away from the city centre – it's important that the centre remains strong."
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by PAUL, SNEYD GREEN
Tuesday, November 18 2008, 7:41PM
“WHY DO WE NEED ;IKEA; IN OUR TOWN ?
This is a good opportunity to expand our town centre also the ring road. Bring it on.”
by PAUL,, SNEYD GREEN.
Tuesday, November 18 2008, 7:32PM
“Why would we want an IKEA in
the middle of our town ?
This is a good opportunity to expand the city centre. This will bring even more people to our town.”
by tim, alsager
Monday, November 17 2008, 9:08AM
“do we need b&q's all over the place like macdonalds . why dont the planers think about something different on the land. surely the fact that there's a b&q only 1/2 mile away and a cinema complex should have some bearing on what they build?surely this is going to pull trade from already running busines which can't be good for a failing economy, there are many other retail firms that would be interested in a big store. yes the "ring road" does need to be done but the rest of the plan is floored. there are plenty of hotels in the potteries and already casino's that are strugling to pull in customers let alone the fact that who the hell wants to stay in a hotel next to a cinema, casino and city center that already has clear problems with drink fueled fall out. the retail link from city center to festival park could only be completed if even more family's are moved as even when this land is built on there are still homes between them and i am sure these people dont want noisy retail units with their air-con units running 24/7 in their back gardens. the planers should go back to the drawing board and come up with some much better plans that will suit the locality much better for the future of the city! all this when they are planning much the same over the other side of the town as well, all that is going to happen is the retail chains are going to move from one place to the new more up to date places and then the old place will be left empty, is this regeneration for the city? we need long term forward planning not short term profit for the fat cats.”
by Kate, Cheadle
Sunday, November 16 2008, 10:41AM
“I totally agree, an IKEA would have brought SOT into the 21st century. I was kinda hoping for the big new build next to Tesco in Meir to be an IKEA but ended up being a healthcare depot or something like that.
After reading the article, can I ask, WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER CASINO???”
by steen mangen, London
Saturday, November 15 2008, 6:27PM
“Is my sense of geography awry ?. Is'n t the site within the city centre as defined by the limits of the proposed ring road extension ? And couldn't we once and for all, Councillor Ross consign the concept of 'Hanley Town Centre' to the dustbin of history, you litlle 'six towner' you.!. Agree with Michae that an IKEA would have been a better option. But, he-ho”