Plans put forward for Stoke-on-Trent business district

Developers say the district will be a vibrant quarter

Plans for a new business district in Stoke-on-Trent have been been submitted to the city council.

The council approved the 1.2 million sq ft Central Business District, which it said would create 4,000 new jobs, in the summer.

The planning application for the first phase of the scheme will be considered early next year.

Developers Genr8 plan to build the site in stages until completion in 2017.

The project, on the site of Unity House in the city centre, will include offices, shops, leisure facilities and open spaces.

Mike Smith of Genr8 said this first planning application was a significant step forward in the creation of a much-needed business district for the city.

"The Central Business District will create a vibrant quarter in the heart of the city centre where offices, retail and leisure sit side by side," he said.