A four-month public consultation on the future use of a major city centre development will start by the end of the Summer.
People and local firms will be able to have their say over the multi-million-pound Etruscan Square project in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, between September and December.
It will follow a review being carried out of all the city’s music, arts and theatre venues by well-known local businessman, music impresario and promoter Mike Lloyd to help gauge what facilities are needed.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council secured £20million of Levelling Up funding from the Government to cover the infrastructure works for Etruscan Square on land previously occupied by a former bus station and the East-West Precinct.
Priming and groundworks have now been carried out, but there has been extensive debate on what facilities will likely feature at the site.
The council has said the mixed-used development will include residential accommodation, with car parking provision for residents.
However, the Labour-run authority has ruled out a huge investment in a new multi-storey car park or large capacity arena in future plans following its own review.
That is despite planning permission being granted for a £18.8million, 545-space mobility hub and outline consent given for a 3,600 capacity indoor stadium early last year while the Conservatives held power.
Council Leader Jane Ashworth said: “Quite clearly the idea of developing Etruscan Square is to bring more footfall to Hanley.
“In order to achieve that we need residential accommodation. We now have planning permission in place for 300 apartments and the first tenants should move on site by May 2026.
“There will be space for residents to park their vehicles – that’s a must. But let me be absolutely clear – there will be no big investment in another multi-storey car park. That is not going to happen.
“The remainder of the site’s make up will take into account the review Mike Lloyd is carrying out, which is very important. We should have a draft of that by the end of Spring.
“Secondly, it will be based on what people tell us they want during the consultation we plan to run between September and December. It is critical residents, businesses and organisations with a vested interest come forward and have their say.
“We will look at all options proposed but must be practical. The large capacity arena idea was never there because it would have cost far too much. And while people were prepared to operate it, they wanted the council to fund it.
“But we do believe that practical, beneficial and cost-effective solutions can be found that will have the desired effect of providing extra affordable homes and facilities that will draw more people to Hanley.”
I have said this before, Hanley needs the buildings that are are completely useless should be knocked down and the people who own them should be held to account for the cost.
Then the huge problem of the behaviour of some people who are trying to rule Hanley by unacceptable activity souch as openly dealing and using drugs, excessive alcohol abuse, bad language, and not forgetting the shop lifting.
These are the main problems with Hanley and it’s the reason most people don’t visit Hanley especially with their Children meaning less shopping and shops closing resulting in even more people staying away.
This is what’s turning Hanley in to the place that it has become and it should be the priority to deal with to turn Hanley back to the thriving town that it used to be 20 or 30 Years ago packed with good shops and people out shopping and with Children or even Children on their own Once this is done then look at further improvements otherwise it could be a case of throwing Money away.
This is my own opinion.