North Staffordshire: Stoke, East Newcastle-under-Lyme and East Biddulph

Pathfinder: Renew North Staffordshire

Introduction

The North Staffordshire market renewal area is made up of a large number of non-contiguous areas within the North Staffordshire conurbation.

Map of the RENEW North Staffordshire Strategic Boundaries

These are focused on the heavily industrialised urban core, peripheral council estates, and ex-mining areas within the sub-region.

The most extensive problems with vacancy rates, low values and problems of unfitness and disrepair are located within the terraced sector at the core of the conurbation.

The area had the second lowest house prices, after East Lancashire, and shares many socio-economic characteristics with this pathfinder, as well as emerging issues relating to social cohesion.

There are also severe problems of unstable ground and foundations arising from the legacy of mining which often undermine residential property, and large scale dereliction resulting from excessive industrial closures over the last two decades.

Case Study

Meir Masterplanning Success

Over 450 local people turned up at Meir Community Centre to see the final draft of the masterplan for better homes, transport and community facilities. Over 250 people returned questionnaires which asked whether they supported the proposals and 80 per cent said "yes".

This seal of approval came after eight months of hard work that began at the end of 2004 when a steering group of residents appointed community architects to help them draw up plans. Over eight months residents were invited to 35 public meetings, events and exhibitions, culminating in the final event; the unveiling of the masterplan.

Some of the improvements backed by Meir residents included:

several new houses and flats built around green space
improved access, safety and security
new community facilities
better buildings and car parking for local businesses

Picture: Residents in discussion at the Meir community centre in North stafoordshire

Maggie Carter, Chair of Meir Steering Group and a resident of Meir said:

"It was fantastic to see how many people gave up their Sunday afternoon to come along and look at the final draft of the masterplan. It shows how much everyone cares about the future of the estate - hundreds of residents have now put forward their views and ideas."