Plan to protect relics of Stoke-on-Trent's industrial past
AN AMBITIOUS project has been launched to help preserve Stoke-on-Trent's heritage and prevent historic buildings from falling into disrepair.
A 'heritage commission' will bring together a think-tank of historians, politicians, businesses and residents to draw up plans to preserve historic sites and conservation areas.
They will debate how to make better use of landmarks from the city's industrial past including civic buildings, bottle kilns and canals.
The commission, led by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, will culminate in a 'heritage summit', where ideas and strategies will be announced.
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Harmesh Jassal, the city council's strategic manager of planning, policy and building regulations, said: "The commission will bring a lot of people and ideas together to look at the heritage of the city.
"It's about finding ways to make the best use of our heritage – to boost employment and economic growth.
"There are places like the Spode site, Burslem Town Hall and the canals. These are the places we will be looking at.
"We want to create jobs, refurbish and bring buildings back into use."
The council will seek backing from English Heritage, as well as applying to become a Heritage Lottery 'priority investment area'.
The plans have been welcomed by Potteries historian Fred Hughes.
He said: "It's a brilliant idea. It's something I have been advocating for years.
"The only thing left that Stoke-on-Trent can offer is its heritage and its background in ceramics and heavy industry.
"That heritage has been allowed to erode for more than a decade and it's a scandal.
"The city is bursting with heritage and history.
"It should be exploited."
Cabinet members backed the plans at a meeting last night.
Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member for economic development, said: "The people of Stoke-on-Trent really do cherish their heritage and links to the ceramics industry.
"The council can be rightly proud of the work it has done on but there is much more investment needed and much more work still to be done."
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We need to address the issues with historic buildings and protect our heritage.
"This will help us to understand the pressures and to prioritise initiatives for managing our heritage."
Councillor Andy Platt, cabinet member for city services, added: "There are a lot of people who will be really interested in contributing."
A series of preliminary meetings will be held in the new year with the council hoping to stage the summit in May.
Comments
by mitch1961
Saturday, October 27 2012, 9:09AM
“"What about all those groups who've come forward with good costed ideas about how to make good use of these buildings? Ideas with business plans I should add, not the scribble on a fag packet which is justifying the CBD move"
Well said - do they think we've forgotten about the Etruria Industrial Museum? The Wedgwood Memorial College? Ford Green Hall - still struggling to complete it's asset transfer? Local groups have been trying to save heritage for years - I wonder how many of them will be invited to the "heritage summit"?.......................oh and "Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member for economic development, said: "The people of Stoke-on-Trent really do cherish their heritage and links to the ceramics industry. The council can be rightly proud of the work it has done on but there is much more investment needed and much more work still to be done." Give me a break Mr Slash, Burn and Sell Off for the CBD Meredith!!! The only time you're interested in heritage is when the pound signs are flashing in front of your eyes.”
by Mr_Jingles
Friday, October 26 2012, 10:07PM
“Its too late - everything of any worth has been already gone or been knocked down. Remember years ago even Longton Town Hall nearly became a car park.”
by johnarc
Friday, October 26 2012, 6:43PM
“This is, in principle, an excellent initiative, but funding will almost certainly be a problem. There are many fine buildings in all of our six towns, and a comprehensive status and condition schedule should identify these, and ensure that any planning proposals involving a building on the schedule should pay full attention to the heritage value of the building concerned. This project will inevitably bring into question the proposal by the City Council to sell off the Stoke Town Hall and the adjoining Kings Hall.”
by bemused_stare
Friday, October 26 2012, 6:01PM
“Looks like one big fat pile of hot air to me. "At the summit in May a set of policies and strategies will be announced..." Yawn, yawn.
What about all those groups who've come forward with good costed ideas about how to make good use of these buildings? Ideas with business plans I should add, not the scribble on a fag packet which is justifying the CBD move
And anyhow these buildings are supposedly up for sale...
Can't wait for the "summit" though - sounds really good: Brezhnev, Reagan, Thatcher...”
by MusicHallFan
Friday, October 26 2012, 4:09PM
“A true heritage for this city would be decent jobs at decent pay, decent housing at reasonable prices, a council that cared about the elderly rather than lining their own pockets, yes and some decent public spaces. I would far rather hand this to our children rather than worn out, tumbledown, abandoned factories, closed museums & libraries, no care for the elderly and infirm, and no means to secure meaningful jobs.
I don't want to see a new civic centre in Hanley when we are closing civic amenities and laying off workers to pay for it. This council doesn't listen to the people of the city, and is only interested in making us pay for the upkeep of the derelict factories we used to work in! heritage is fine, but it puts very little food on the table.”
by Redpitlad
Friday, October 26 2012, 2:41PM
“Looks a bit late for the Bell & Bear Snowhill Shelton !!!!
which I believe to be grade two listed!!!! and is in a terrrble state.”
by lagu2
Friday, October 26 2012, 1:37PM
“lol Anon, endangered species list , well that is one i will not be saving”
by Anon_mow_cop
Friday, October 26 2012, 1:29PM
“@lagu2
you beat me to that one, brilliant comment.Mind you I think they may be on the "endangered species list now, I can't think of anybody who would vote for this incompetent council again.”
by Gnomecomplex
Friday, October 26 2012, 1:22PM
“Red Bull aqueduct would be a good start.”
by lagu2
Friday, October 26 2012, 1:08PM
“How about including Stoke on Trent's City Council in the list, cause thas the biggest relic in Stoke on Trent?”