Homes crisis leads to Victoria Ground rethink [+ PICTURES]
DEVELOPERS of the old Victoria Ground site are considering putting up commercial buildings after plans for houses were hit by construction sector gloom.
Regeneration firm St Modwen already has permission to build homes on the former Stoke City ground, which has laid derelict since 1997, but progress has been stalled by the credit crunch.
-
![Homes crisis leads to Victoria Ground rethink [+ PICTURES]](http://i.thisis.co.uk/274136/article/images/390237/444999.jpg)
Homes crisis leads to Victoria Ground rethink [+ PICTURES]
Regional director Mike Herbert said he was considering a change-of-use planning application to allow commercial premises on the land, which occupies a landmark position off the A500 into Stoke-on-Trent.
Residents living nearby say they want to see progress on the site, but do not want to be disturbed by too much traffic.
Mr Herbert said: “The housing market is just not happening at the moment. So do we sit still and wait for the housing market to come back, which of course it will at some stage? Or if we can find something that works in the interim should we consider it?
“That site has been derelict for a long time and unfortunately it took longer to get planning permission than we would have liked.
“The important thing is we’re not just sitting back saying ‘oh dear’. There must be something we can do and if that involves some commercial development we will go with it.”
He added: “You certainly couldn’t be putting up a big shed there – it’s not really a distribution warehouse site.
“You would also have to think carefully if manufacturing was going on there, but there are other commercial opportunities which could be appropriate. I don’t know what the answer is, but we’re certainly not going to do nothing.”
Proposals for 220 houses on the Victoria Ground site went before Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s development control committee last November.
Developer St Modwen has said the plans will boost regeneration in Stoke and increase takings in the town’s shops, pubs and restaurants.
Work on the site was held up for several years while work on the D-road took place.
But The Sentinel revealed in July that the long-awaited work would be delayed until 2010 because of falling housing demand.
Gloom in the construction sector has hit St Modwen hard. It made a £20 million loss in the first half of the year, compared to £65.1 million profit in the same period last year.
Commercial property expert Richard Day, a senior partner at estate agent Daniel & Hulme, said developers are having to consider alternatives to house-building to satisfy shareholders.
He said: “Residential house-builders are finding it difficult in the current market. The number of purchases of sites has decreased, so St Modwen is having to look at different routes for the site.
“It has been vacant for a long time."
Ann Belfield, who lives in nearby Selwyn Street, said she would have no objections to the land being used for commercial premises, as long as residents are not affected.
She said: “If they are going to have wagons coming and going throughout the night then that would not be okay with me. But if they are going to put warehouses closer to the A500 side and there was a road going across the ground I wouldn’t have any problem with that.”
Pat Edwards, also of Selwyn Street, said: “It would be nice to see houses on there but anything would be better than leaving it to become a dumping ground.”
For more business news click here
3 Comments
by David, Fenton
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 5:04PM
“I believe Democracy4Stoke is Apark4Stoke! Wot do the citizens think?”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Monday, October 13 2008, 8:53AM
“David, I found you post very informative, it nice to now facts like that. It dose'nt hide the fact that its been nerly 15 years since the Football Ground went now and the area is a mess, St. Modwen own it, and something needs doing with it. The site is prime land, just by the A50 with good links to the M6 and M1 useing the A50. Its also close to the train station and the city center, the right development on that site would work and bring much needed empleyment to this city. Love history but dont let it bar the way of devolopment that would help the city, its not right. I myself have never been convinsed that houseing was the best use of that land, thinging more retail or even a bissness park better. On saying this, it also as to be remembered that a big part of Stokes history is there, that must be kept in mind , it meens not a lot to me, I never got into football, to some it meens a lifetime watching there sport, there team, it must by remenberd.”
by David, fenton
Sunday, October 12 2008, 1:03PM
“I hope if you read this, you can afford the time to reply and possibly make a difference!
I class myself a local amateur historian and for 6 years I¿ve researched the history of the old Victoria Ground, after being asked what the land was before it belonged to Stoke City. Discovering that prior to the Victoria Athletic Club, it was known as the Stoke Victoria Cricket Club Ground that was developed on the cornfield separated from the Abbey Mills of Stoke. The land is protected by Restrictive Covenants and the bases of my objection to the development. This site also gave the town of Stoke its motto and received heraldic recognition in 1487 after the last battle of the War of the Roses. This battle should be known as the Battle for Hulton Abbey, which took place at Meir on the 16th June, just off the A50. The Dissolution which ended in 1538 changed our landscape completely, with the crown taking a considerable amount of wealth and ancient glebe land in the process. The Royal House and Egwlysau Basa were never visited by Henry VIII, who destroyed and misplaced our history. After the English Revolution and the long parliament in 1653, the ownership of certain lands within our city changed, some coming under the control of our government as chief tenants and should never be sold. Why? In order to protect its identity, past history and disguising what had been destroyed.
The Victoria Ground is such a site and can never sold. So why are the people being mislead?
For profit! When Sir Stan Clarke was cohered onto the board of Stoke City, how many fans thought he was heaven sent? I know I did. When he was actually sent by Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd and the outside influences controlling our city. Sites E10/11, MU2, MU3, MU4 and GODSTOC are similar. The pottery and other industries were allowed to develop on these sites, in order to bring employment to the borough and its poor inhabitants. Making huge profits for the few and manipulating the people with poor wages and living conditions.
Fred Hughes was sorry to see the Royal Doulton Factory in Burslem demolished, but is looking forward to the regeneration of the town and a new era. If we could only turn the clock back and resurrect Hulton Abbey? The Mother Town was an early major residential area within our city and was supported by funds for the poor from The Church. The pottery industry was located here from other cities to provide alternative employment for the area and so polluting and destroying what we stood for. This area was unique and supported the fortunate few who became extremely wealthy at our expense.
As a citizen, I believe in democracy for our city and democracy for all! Not the chosen few.
Democracy4Stoke is Apark4Stoke, as we¿re the only town without one. What do you think?
The Victoria Ground is the ideal site and can be linked to Bishop Stamer School to provide much needed accommodation for its pupils and their future generations. Or aren¿t we bothered? Allowing Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd. Sorry, St Modwen Developments Ltd permission to erect sheds on the Old Vic? I wouldn¿t, at least there¿s somewhere for the dogs to crap!”