£2.2m of taxpayers money for 62 new Hanley homes
MORE than £2 million of taxpayers' cash has been earmarked to help build dozens of new houses on the site of a closed-down factory.
A total of 62 family homes could be built under plans to rejuvenate the former Ivy House Paper Mills site, in Hanley.
The plot, off Commercial Road, was among a series of areas identified for redevelopment under the now-defunct Renew North Staffordshire housing programme.
The doomed scheme ended in April last year after more than 2,000 homes were demolished, 7,500 properties were refurbished and just 676 houses were built.
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Now Cheshire-based developer Seddon Group is set to receive £2.2 million from the Government's Homes and Communities Agency to help transform the site into a housing estate.
A meeting of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet will tonight discuss approving the grant, which is set to be handed over subject to planning approval to help meet demand for housing in the city centre.
Seddon Group has already purchased the land and was previously given permission to build a row of terraced housing on the site and convert the large warehouse into apartments. But the extra funding will allow it to build large two, three and four-bed homes, most of which would be semi-detached, as part of council plans to create "aspirational" housing for working families.
The report to the council says: "Whilst due to location it is believed that there is latent demand for such housing in this area, it is not a mix that a developer would independently submit in the current economic climate."
The news has been welcomed by nearby residents, who say the plot has been left to become an "eyesore".
Twenty-four-year-old carpenter Sam Rennie, who lives in nearby Tintern Street, said: "This sounds great and it's certainly something people here will welcome.
"The land has a lot of potential. If they're going to do something with the warehouses then even better. They are impressive buildings so they should turn them into something people can benefit from."
Full-time mum Ina Kwiatkowska, aged 28, of Tintern Street, said: "The place is a dump. Our house and street is OK, but further at the bottom of the road is an eyesore.
"There's plenty of room so they should even look at making a new playground."
Documents prepared for tonight's cabinet meeting say the scheme "will have a positive impact on confidence levels in the local housing market, support the city centre regeneration programme and reaffirm to the local community the city council's commitment to regenerating the wider area".
The cabinet will also discuss selling other sites to developers, including plots in Hanley's Bucknall New Road, Dresden Street and Ludlow Street clearance areas.
Comments
by labour-len
Friday, September 28 2012, 4:59PM
“Seems like the twin as been smelling the barmaids apron again come out with comments like that !”
by truestokie
Friday, September 28 2012, 3:15PM
“Labour Len, are you serious?
You create a wasteland and want congratulating?
You lot really are arrogant.”
by caldoncut
Friday, September 28 2012, 2:59PM
“We are going to build mainly semi detached houses. I thought we needed low cost starter homes for people unable to get on the housing ladder. Whats wrong with terraced houses at least they well insulated on two sides cheaper to build then semi's and take up less room. Only positive side is that it seems to be between Seddons and the government and Stoke council aren't handling the money.”
by mole10
Friday, September 28 2012, 2:06PM
“For a fiver I can insult your hair.
A tenner gets you a full workover.
A pony can get you hitting the 'moderators abuse' button.
If we go up to £50, you get a personal service and the full Michael Coleman.”
by mole10
Friday, September 28 2012, 1:46PM
“Are you asking me to insult you by request?”
by I_Norris
Thursday, September 27 2012, 10:01PM
“The funding forms part of the £36million Restated Capital Programme 2011-15. and was previously allocated by the HCA for City Waterside and is already held by the City Council.
But yes its good news that things are on the move”
by paskerin
Thursday, September 27 2012, 6:01PM
“Here's a comment.It would appear that the grant is coming from a Coalition Government and that a private company will be doing the development. The only contribution the Council will make is to dictate what kind of properties may be built. Yes it is welcome news that some of the blight the council has created will be rebuilt.”
by muzzer57
Thursday, September 27 2012, 3:19PM
“What about the rest of the wasteland off Bucknall New Road that anyone daft enough to go to Hanley has to drive past?”
by LabourLen
Thursday, September 27 2012, 2:19PM
“No comments yet on this wonderful 'good news' article.
Not so much as a @mole10 rant or another untrue myth by his bessie mate @truestokie.
One wonders whether they have the ability let alone humility to come on here and say 'this is great news' or maybe a 'this will improve life for the residents for sure' or heaven forbid a 'nice to see some positive regeneration in the city'.
No, they, like many others can only use this city to spread bile and negativity. People like them feed on doom mongering and has a vested interest in keeping our city and the people who live here down.
So, I don't expect that we'll see any comments from the 'usual suspects' on this thread.”