Library development plans resubmitted

How the redevelopment of the former city central library could look, according to revised designs

Revised plans to turn a former library building into an apartment block have been submitted after the rejection of original proposals.

Stoke-on-Trent Council blocked plans to renovate City Central Library in Hanley last year, criticising a "poorly designed, disproportionate and dominant" extension, as well as raising concerns over residential amenity, traffic and fire safety.

Hanley Library Redevelopment Ltd has since proposed to reduce the number of flats from 106 to 101, with five apartments earmarked for the ground floor to be replaced with two commercial units and communal space for residents.

The application stated the tweaked project would "provide the local planning authority with full confidence that the redevelopment of this site can be delivered in a way which enhances" the area.

The revised plans feature 64 one-bedroom and 30 two-bedroom apartments, with a reduced number of seven one-bedroom apartments on the lower ground floor along with a gym, bike storage and communal area as well as four commercial units in total.

Plans still include a four-storey vertical extension but one built with the same cladding and brickwork as the rest of the site. Original plans included lighter cladding material.

In response to the council's road safety concerns, there is to be no on-site parking for residents.

The latest application said the development would improve "the setting of nearby listed buildings and preserves the character and appearance of the City Centre Conservation Area".

Hanley Library was relocated to Two Smithfield last year, and the city council subsequently sold the vacated building to Hanley Library Redevelopment Ltd.

The council is expected to make a decision on the new application by November 7.

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