New conservation areas in city announced

Albert Square, Fenton has been designated as a conservation area

Two new conservation areas in Stoke-on-Trent have been unveiled by the city council following a public consultation.

Winton Square, Stoke and Albert Square, Fenton, have been designated conservation areas to help protect the city's historic character, it said.

The move follows a review of all the city conservation areas, with the total now standing at 22.

Conservation areas are designed to manage and protect the special architectural and historic features of a place, through the use of additional planning controls.

Winton Square has made the list of conservation areas in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent has a "unique and vibrant cultural identity and heritage" which "sets it apart from other places," said Labour councillor Chris Robinson.

Conservation areas play "an important role in preserving and enhancing the city’s heritage," he added.

In 2022, people were asked for their views on what historical features in Stoke-on-Trent meant to them, as part of review of the areas.

The new Winton Square conservation area incorporates the railway station and North Stafford hotel, while the new area in Albert Square, Fenton incorporates Fenton Town Hall and Christ Church.

Other conservation areas in the city include Penkhull Garden Village, Park Terrace, Tunstall and Hanley Park.

In addition to help keeping these places "special," having them defined as conservation areas can improve the value of the property within them, and may make them eligible for heritage-focused funding, the council said.