'Realistic' plan for city centre's future unveiled

A new leisure centre and hundreds of homes are among proposals outlined in a masterplan to regenerate a city centre.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has unveiled a "realistic" vision for the city's future development, on which a public consultation is taking place, saying that by 2050 it will make the area a "more vibrant, connected and welcoming" place.

It includes previous proposals, including replacing Fenton Manor leisure centre with a new complex in Hanley, a pedestrian route connecting Hanley Park with Central Forest Park and 750 homes on brownfield sites.

Potential routes for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which typically involves segregated roadways, have also been suggested.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker said the city centre was a "vital part" of Stoke-on-Trent's economy and culture.

"I'm aware people might hear the word 'masterplan' and think they've heard it all before," he said.

"This is something different: a realistic and practical vision with clear short and long-term goals.

"We will start to see the benefits from this quite quickly, in terms of addressing empty shops, bringing historic buildings back into use and better public transport connectivity. A lot of this work is already under way."

The council announced proposals to replace the ageing Fenton Manor with a new leisure centre two years ago.

According to the masterplan, drawn up in partnership with consultant Arcadis, it could include a swimming pool, modern gym facilities and a 3G football pitch.

The proposals came after the Labour-run authority previously shelved ambitions for an indoor arena and a tram system.

Councillor Dan Jellyman, Reform UK group leader on the authority, questioned the need for a new masterplan.

He highlighted existing planning permission for homes on Etruscan Square and said the authority had £20m of Levelling Up funding from the government "sitting in the bank".

Jellyman added: "Why are they paying Arcadis taxpayers' money to come up with this masterplan and if it's meant to be 'realistic', why haven't they delivered anything in three years?"

The public consultation on the masterplan runs until 22 March.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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