Developer appointed for former potbank

Stoke-on-Trent City Council approved a developer for the former potbank on Tuesday

Fresh plans to redevelop a former ceramics factory will include a proposal for more than 100 new homes after a developer was approved.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council agreed to appoint Capital & Centric as the developer for former potbank the Spode Works, in Stoke, on Tuesday.

Its scheme would build on an existing Spode Works masterplan approved by the authority last year, adding plans for 116 flats and works to bring the historic China Hall back into use.

The site was previously awarded £10m from the government's Levelling Up Fund, and £6.5m will now be allocated to the developer.

According to the developer's business plan, the proposals would additionally repurpose 820 sq m (8,826 sq ft) of floor space and create 650 sq m (6,996 sq ft) of new commercial space.

The first phase would see the submission of a planning application, with key buildings repaired for commercial use.

Buildings with no "significant heritage value", including Gordon House in Kingsway would be demolished, the plan stated.

Funding bids will also be submitted by the developer to restore the China Hall, which is the largest building on the site.

Phase two would involve further restoration works and the residential scheme.

According to government rules, the authority must spend the Levelling Up cash by next year.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker said the appointment was a "major step forward" for the Spode Works and avoided a lengthy procurement process.

He added the regeneration "honours our past, delivers for our present and actually builds a future where Stoke town is alive with activity and culture and opportunity".

Capital & Centric has already taken on the Goods Yard site in Stoke and is set to redevelop the Midway car park in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Planning applications will be submitted in the winter.