Up to 20 ‘highly skilled jobs are set to be created after councillors approved expansion plans at a major Stoke-on-Trent foundry.
An application by engineering firm Goodwin – for new industrial units, a car park and improved access at its Ivy House Foundry site in Hanley – was unanimously approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s planning committee at a special meeting on Wednesday.
The plans include two temporary industrial units, one permanent unit, a 197-space car park and a new internal access road linking Melville Street to the wider site.
The application is part-retrospective, with both temporary units and the car park already operational and work underway on the permanent building.
The development is expected to employ an addition 15 to 20 full-time staff, operating on a shift basis, with the site running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The proposals are intended to support existing foundry operations, with no steel manufacturing set to take place within the new buildings.
Speaking at the meeting, Joe Hancock, of Goodwin, said the investment marked a major commitment to the city and would secure hundreds of jobs.
He said: “The foundry site in Hanley is where Goodwin began 143 years ago. It is encouraging to see continued investment in this historic location by our board of directors.
“This commitment reflects both confidence in the future of our business, and our long-term dedication to the area. Importantly, this investment helps to secure employment for the 700 people currently working within the group’s mechanical engineering division.
“In addition, the proposed development will create between 15 and 20 new high-skilled roles. Recruitment for some of these positions has already begun through our in-house apprenticeship programme.”
He added: “We believe this proposal strikes a careful balance between industrial growth and responsible development.”
One objection had been received to the plans from a member of the public over the loss of open space, but planning officers said that a £40,000 contribution towards the maintenance of other spaces in the area would be ‘appropriate mitigation’ for this.
Committee chair Andy Platt said: “I think this is a really positive thing. It’s not often we see proper industrial applications before us and I think that’s really important.
“It shows there are industries in this city that are expanding, particularly in the engineering area.”
Councillor Ross Irving added: “I think this is a scheme that we would all welcome. To see a company such as Goodwin expanding, gives us confidence in the industrial base of the city during these difficult times, so I am fully supportive of the development.”
