Surplus city council sites could be redeveloped

Ball Green High School in Stoke-on-Trent closed in 1988

Eleven council-owned sites will be put forward for potential redevelopment after they were deemed surplus to requirements.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council identified the mix of commercial buildings, former council service properties and parcels of industrial land as part of a review into its assets.

The authority said the sites would be considered for future developments, including new homes, as part of the upcoming public consultation on its local plan.

Among those identified is the former Ball Green High School site, which has been vacant since it closed in 1988.

Councillor Chris Robinson said the authority owned about 500 buildings and pieces of land across the city, many of which were "no longer needed".

"Reviewing these sites is an important part of our plans to save money, run more efficiently and unlock new opportunities for communities," he said.

Land at Canal Lane is also being considered for redevelopment

The sites were deemed surplus to requirements during a meeting of the council's cabinet on Tuesday.

It came after more than 440 people signed a petition asking for the Ball Green High School site to be retained for public use.

The council said it would be considered for "various future uses" as part of the local plan consultation.

The local plan will guide development in the city over the next 15 years, including by earmarking sites for homes.

The government has set the city council a housing requirement of 948 homes a year, about twice what is currently delivered.

The eleven sites which have been deemed surplus to requirements are in:

• Bilton Street – Boothen

• Booth Street – Boothen

• Power Grove – Longton and Meir Hay South

• Bengry Road – Lightwood North and Normacot

• Eaves Lane – Abbey Hulton

• Caverswall Lane – Meir Park

• Central Business District (Smithfield) – Etruria and Hanley

• Woodhead Road – Abbey Hulton

• Brookwood Drive – Meir North

• Canal Lane, Westport Lane – Burslem

• Ball Green – Baddeley, Milton and Norton