Hundreds of new homes are planned

Renew North Staffordshire, the region's regeneration body, has asked for �120m from the government to continue reforming the region's housing.

Renew says the money would be used to knock down 1,400 houses, renovate 3,600 homes and build around 630 new ones.

It also expects �672m investment from private and public sector partners to help renew "unpopular" neighbourhoods.

Renew North Staffordshire, which is a partnership of local organisations, said it plans to spend 88% of the cash in the "urban core" of Stoke-on-Trent - which is made up of mainly Victorian terraced housing.

'Clear need'

The body said it planned to build on the "strong foundations" of the first five years of its programme.

Renew director Hardial Bhogal said: "More people are now choosing to live and work in neighbourhoods that were in a spiral of decline five years ago.

"However, the housing market remains fragile and there is a clear need to continue to improve neighbourhoods, to increase housing choice and to stimulate the local economy."

A decision on how much funding will be given to Renew is expected next year.