New Hanley office plan unveiled near Central Business District
RESIDENTS will get their first glimpse of how an office building planned as part of a controversial new council headquarters will look at a public consultation.
Gener8 Developments has released the first images of the glass-fronted building in Hanley's new £55 million Central Business District (CBD).
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An artist's impression of the second office buidling between Warner Street, Broad Street and Potteries Way.
And now the designs will go on display to the public for the first time tomorrow.
Campaigners fighting Stoke-on-Trent City Council's move from the Civic Centre in Stoke to the CBD have already criticised the 'garish' plans for the new 100,000 sq ft kaleidoscope-style HQ inspired by Clarice Cliff pottery.
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And while the second building based at Warner Street, Broad Street and Potteries Way is a more traditional design, many believe it is still a waste of taxpayers' money. Save Our Stoke co-ordinator, Graham Barrett, of Honeywall, Stoke, said: "I don't think these consultations are much more than a PR exercise.
"People don't tend to go because they don't support the plans.
"At the last consultation they had some pictures that weren't even really relevant to Hanley.
"I'm not sure how much the council officers actually take on board from public opinion anyway."
About 1,300 workers are expected to move from the Civic Centre in Stoke to the CBD in 2015.
A detailed planning application is due to be submitted next month.
Genr8 will display the plans at the Mitchell Arts Centre, in Broad Street, from 12pm to 5pm tomorrow and on Saturday from 1.30pm to 5.30pm.
A city council spokesman said: "The development is at the design stage.
"Genr8 and their technical advisers will be available at the event to talk through the proposals and answer questions.
"There will be a series of exhibition boards with drawings outlining how the second office building may look. "Members of the public can drop in at their convenience.
"Following this event, all comments will be considered before the submission.
"The CBD will diversify Stoke-on-Trent's economic base and help the city become more resilient in the face of future economic challenges."
The latest designs have been unveiled as campaign group, North Staffs Against Cuts was today due to hold a protest outside Civic Centre as councillors meet to approve budget cuts of £21 million.
The demonstration will be in Kingsway from 4.30pm.
5 Comments
by freebee123
Friday, March 01 2013, 4:06PM
“Went, noone representing the council was there. Don't know if it was shame, embarrassment, ignorance or arrogance but you would think someone should have been there. It only ever seems to be people from outside the city who can answer questions with " I wouldn't know about that I don't come from around here." A complete waste of time.”
by johnarc
Thursday, February 28 2013, 7:00PM
“If the central business district is to offer any enhancement to the architectural quality of Hanley, there needs to be a coherent master plan to avoid a piecemeal collection of disparate buildings which have no visual empathy with each other. Looks like the council`s sacred cow is already well on the way to being an expensive eyesore. Strict design criteria need to be established before it is too late !”
by I_Norris
Thursday, February 28 2013, 1:02PM
“The only piece of Green showing on the Masterplan is the small area of grass that exists already next to Hanley Museum http://tinyurl.com/cfg2pps”
by Tinsdills Solicitors
Thursday, February 28 2013, 12:59PM
“Looks dull like the current library building. Was someone actually paid to style this? Still no tenants though are there?”
by BucknallMel
Thursday, February 28 2013, 11:44AM
“Ugliness piled on ugliness - and does anyone actually believe this greedy bunch will leave a cricket pitch sized green space in their premium price CBD? If they do - wouldn't some PARKING SPACE be more use? I see no room on any of the plans for parking for the people who will allegedly be working in these huge buildings. Will they all be coming by bus, including Mr van de Larceny?”