KEY SITES DEMAND SEVEN MORE YEARS
THREE key regeneration projects are suffering from major delays after developers asked for more time to carry out their plans.
Development sites hit by the setbacks include the former Victoria Ground in Stoke, the Chatterley Valley business park near Tunstall and the former Lear Management site in Hanley.
Victoria Ground owner St Modwen Properties has asked Stoke-on-Trent City Council for an extra seven years to regenerate the vacant 16-acre site, which has planning permission for housing.
The Birmingham-based firm blames the recession for delays in preparing the site, which has lain derelict since Stoke City left it in 1997.
St Modwen regional director Mike Herbert, pictured, said: "To protect the existing planning consent we have applied for an extension of time in which to develop the former Victoria Ground.
"We remain very keen to progress the development, and in the current climate we are also considering alternative proposals to deliver a viable development which would be to the benefit of the city."
UK Coal, which owns the Chatterley Valley site, also wants a seven-year extension for its £50 million business park plan. Some warehouses have been built on the 80-acre site, but much of it is undeveloped.
A spokesman said: "Without the extension, the consent for a scheme already approved will lapse."
The former Lear site, off Waterloo Road, was given permission in 2008 for a £60 million leisure and retail development, including an extension to the Potteries Way ring road.
But Lear went into insolvency weeks later. The site remains in the hands of administrators, who have asked the council for an extension.
The council's cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Brian Ward, said he sympathised with developers still reeling from the recession.
He said: "All of these sites are important to the regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent and we are as frustrated as everyone else that nothing has progressed yet. But that won't happen until the market improves and the conditions and the timing are right."
City Centre Partnership spokesman Richard Day said: "Perhaps if things had progressed a bit quicker then development would be taking place on these sites now.
"However, it is encouraging that the developers are still spending money on the sites in order to progress their plans when the time is right."
Living in the shadow of dereliction: Page 6
6 Comments
by Albert Hopkins Shirley, Melbourne Australia.
Friday, March 12 2010, 1:40PM
“For got to say.
The council reps said they had over 400 million pounds to spend
under the regeneration plans.
That was almost 2 years ago so where is it been spent.
Up to now NOTHING except on consultants and plans.
Just paper work, was told have cost over 40 million.
Still vacant desolate lands.
NO Homes Houses.
I ask ?WHY can this be.
Oh even to knock down homes they have to bring in company's from down South.
What no company's or workers suitable from Stoke.
Just stinks like Brown and just like the under ground and sewers in London.”
by Albert Hopkins Shirley, Melbourne Australia
Friday, March 12 2010, 1:10PM
“? With the shortage of houses and lands why do they need this time extension?
The government sends 45 million pounds to the EUSSR
every day so there is plenty of money around if they wanted to BUILD.
I ask ? Is it because St Modwin and others KNOW that they do not own the land that they recon that they OWN such as the Old Victoria grounds and that is why they are asking for a extension for 7 years because they then can claim the land under the laws of Desolate and abandoned lands which they never have been.
You have to remember that the councils never owned the lands or homes to sell under the Dictates from London.
? Why are there so many vacant lands in S-O-T and many other areas through out Britain or is it because there are being told to Knock down 60,000 homes in Stoke City and over 600,000 homes Britain wide.
Yes that is right OVER 600,000 homes at a cost of between
80,to 100,000 pounds per house just to have a vacant desolate land.
This under the illegal and so called EUSSR regeneration plans.
This was found out at the Crown,Slater st Middle Port inquiry and that came from the council representatives there.
Such as a Mr Young who was the senior legal rep for the City council.
The same happened to Trentham Gardens I have been told, sold of for a pound Yes one pound
This is the same as what has happened at Uttoxeter Town council when they have tried to illegally sell of the market lands to which they never owned Freehold rights.
Same a the Uttoxeter Race course.
Remember councils never own the Freehold rights only managed the property's all over Britain.
Just the same as with Checkley Water and sewage Sold of for very little.
Now want to build a wast full wind farm which they have no rights to as DO NOT OWN THE LAND.
Again the same as Alton water and sewage. That also sold off to the Seven water co for
1pound and that is facts as we have found out.
My Family lives there and for generations.
I believe all just scams as to selling of lands for nothing and now having troubles to build as being found out they do not own the lands.
Lord Trelic found out the hard way at the Crown Alstonfield Inquiry.”
by magneto, shelton
Thursday, March 11 2010, 9:52PM
“Blimey, first time I've agreed with all previous posts!
St Modwen, well, could your reign in Stoke be ending? Is the roi not like it used to be? Struggling for buyers as 20% unemployment finally takes effect? Let's hope that proximity to the M6 no longer fashions the future of the Potteries. May be pottery making could return rather than Chinese goods distribution ruling the roost.....
Magneto.”
by percyfilth, Newcastle
Thursday, March 11 2010, 7:22PM
“What Andrew said!! Perhaps if the council were to remove the planning consent or at least limit it for another year or two not Seven they may get on with it. they have had 13 years with house prices rising for at least 10 of them.. its time they got on with it.”
by andrew, weston coyney
Thursday, March 11 2010, 5:40PM
“So St Mowden blame the recession for not developing the Victoria Ground site, there has only been a recession for 2 years
not 13 .
More like they have been sitting on this site waiting for prices to keep on rising to generate more profit.”
by 20 years, Artsill
Thursday, March 11 2010, 3:39PM
“So potentially the Vic site could be the disgrace it is now for 20 years..
It seems business is not the gamble it once was with this councils patsys on board.”