'Iconic' new civic centre is given the green light
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new £40 million council headquarters have been given the go-ahead.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council yesterday voted to approve the plans for the Genr8-led project.
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Colourful: An artist's impression of the new Stoke-on-Trent City Council headquarters in Hanley. The design was inspired by the work of potter Clarice Cliff.
It will see a 100,000 sq ft, five-storey complex built on land between Broad Street and Warner Street in Hanley, ahead of the authority's move to the Central Business District in 2015.
The building, which will include a 13,600 sq ft library, will boast a rainbow-coloured exterior inspired by Clarice Cliff pottery.
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Designer Michael Clark, principal director at RHWL Architects, said: "We saw an opportunity to draw on the historic heritage of Stoke-on-Trent and we believe the introduction of the colour makes this a true civic building rather than an office."
Members of the city council's development management committee welcomed the plans and congratulated designers on the proposals.
Councillor Janine Bridges said: "I am a traditionalist. I love old buildings and furniture, but with an eye on progression and bringing the city forward, I think this building is iconic.
"The design team has carefully and thoroughly researched what would be suitable for the city."
Deputy council leader, councillor Paul Shotton, said: "Before I saw this design, somebody said to me you will either love it or hate it, but I think it grows on you.
"Other council buildings are brown and dull and we should be proud of this one. It will be an iconic civic building and a strong link to the city's heritage."
But the committee's chairman, councillor Tom Reynolds, admitted he had reservations.
He added: "The word 'iconic' has been used a lot but there is another way of looking at it and that is that it will stick out like a sore thumb.
"It isn't to my taste. Perhaps I have no taste, but there are many parts of the design that should be congratulated."
Stoke town centre traders have criticised the decision claiming the move of 2,000 council staff to the new site from the old Civic Centre will decimate trade in the town.
Jen Watkin, of Hartshill, who runs Jenuine Pets in Kingsway, said: "The whole thing is a waste of money. The council isn't listening to the little people. If it abandons the civic centre, Stoke will die and all the businesses will close."
John Cooper, aged 70, who runs Centre News, said: "This has been set in stone from the beginning. No matter how many times we objected, it was always going to happen."
52 Comments
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by stafford1986
Saturday, March 30 2013, 9:53PM
“lets waste money and let alot of people redundent. PM TRAINING is now
taking our jobs. cheap labour for the council. stoke on trent is becoming a worse place to live not better. if they keep making people redundent then who will these muppets manager.
why do we need so many people in charge..
WHY DOES the lord mayor have to have an audi 4.2 litre car why not get a taxi or drive himself.”
by veryoldfan
Thursday, March 21 2013, 8:23AM
“Councillor Janine Bridges said: "I am a traditionalist. I love old buildings and furniture, but with an eye on progression and bringing the city forward, I think this building is iconic.
"The design team has carefully and thoroughly researched what would be suitable for the city."
Couldn't agree more…….. it displays all the imagination and vision for which Stoke on Trent has become famous for in recent times. Can I humbly suggest the council look at the front page of BING today to get some ideas on what architectural flair can achieve…… hang your heads in shame!!!.”
by lanternhead
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:50AM
“when the diggers hit all that concrete that had to be pumped in when the built unity house and they used that much that the car park actually rose a few inches the estimated costs will double, the councilors and planners are gormless that site was riddled with shafts so i wonder how far they'll have to pile drive it to make it stable.”
by stokepotter
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 7:21PM
“Older readers will remember that we used to have Stoke Wakes in the Regent Road area of Hanley. There was a fun fair there and Billy Smart's circus used to visit us with a colourful big top. Things have not moved on have they? The unwanted white elephant new Civic Centre is being built close by where the Wakes were held, with the circus and colourful big top being replaced by this unwanted multi- coloured monstrosity. We now wait for the clowns to move in, led by the ring master and other unbelievable acts.”
by stokepotter
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 7:20PM
“Older readers will remember that we used to have Stoke Wakes in the Regent Road area of Hanley. There was a fun fair there and Billy Smart's circus used to visit us with a colourful big top. Things have not moved on have they? The unwanted white elephant new Civic Centre is being built close by where the Wakes were held, with the circus and colourful big top being replaced by this unwanted multi- coloured monstrosity. We now wait for the clowns to move in, led by the ring master and other unbelievable acts.”
by I_Norris
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:23PM
“webmonkey, they realise they aren't going to build any other buildings anytime soon so are planting trees and meadows in place of the buildings.
sandbachpete: believe we are buying it
and an artists impression http://tinyurl.com/budplel”
by mrdoulton
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:05PM
“this is becoming SJOKE on Trent thanks city council”
by Killuminati
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 5:56PM
“I must be psycic I said this would be ok'd all along..... Now let me make another amazing prediction,that school in longton will be next”
by krypt
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 5:46PM
“With the introduction of the new bedroom tax and having to find over £200 a year in council tax out of money that I physically havnt got I will be made homeless so the dipsticks that masquarade as a council that puts people first can have a shiny new building. Maybe I could move in there when its built?
Utter incompitents”
by Proud_Potter
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 5:26PM
“If one's looking to regenerate the City by bringing more people into this area of Hanley, can I suggest an idea that proved particularly popular in late 18th century Paris in just such a square. It involves building an altogether cheaper structure out of a few planks of wood and a thin metal sheet and I'm sure the Council's leaders could be very usefully employed as participants - it could also prove a real boom time for any knitting needle and wool shops in the area too!
[In case any Council supporters are inclined to report me for inciting violence, my comments are clearly meant in a lighthearted satirical way - I am not seriously suggesting the mass guillotining of our self-appointed overlords]”