Plans to regenerate historic pottery site approved

Plans to regenerate the historic Spode site in Stoke-on-Trent have been approved

Plans to turn a section of the former Spode site in Stoke-on-Trent into a creative technology hub have been approved.

Buildings at the historic potbank could be brought back into use as bases for start-up firms, art studios, a theatre and a museum.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council plans to use £10m of levelling up funding on the first phase of the project, which would include the refurbishment of 12 buildings along with demolition and infrastructure work.

The 10-acre site, a key part of the city’s regeneration, has long been the subject of frustration among residents keen to see it regenerated.

According to the plan, drawn up by consultants from developer Mace, the aim of the first phase will be to bring a cluster of buildings in close proximity back into use “to establish a hub of activity”.

During a meeting on Tuesday, members of the council’s cabinet said the approach would align with previous regeneration work at Spode.

The Spode site in Stoke-on-Trent closed in 2008

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for regeneration, described it as a “fantastic development plan”.

“It’s an example of real collaboration with partners and residents across the city, across all of our industries,” he said.

Councillors approved the phase one proposals in principle and delegated authority to council officers to implement the scheme.

The Spode factory closed in 2008 and the council has been working to regenerate the area since 2016.

The authority carried out repairs to some of the historic buildings and a Spode museum was also opened in 2012.

Previous plans for the rest of the site included homes and leisure facilities.

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

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