Jack Brereton, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent South, has praised a decision by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to grant planning approval for redevelopment plans to transform the former Crown Works site, located in Longton, into modern retirement apartments.
The landmark gateway site in Longton is home to a significant amount of Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramics history. The former Crown Works site, owned by the Tams Group, served as a pottery factory for Stoke-on-Trent since being founded by John Goodwin in 1841 until its closure in 2006. Tams Group Ltd became the biggest ceramic employer in Longton, and one of the biggest mugs manufacturers in Europe during its twilight years.
In March this year, it was announced that Stoke-on-Trent City Council and OVI Homes, the developer, had agreed a Levelling Up agreement that will see the plans formally receive funds from the £56 million Levelling Up Fund secured by Stoke-on-Trent as part of the UK Government’s wider levelling up ambitions.
The planning approval granted will now allow ambitious multi-million-pound works to redevelop the site into a retirement village begin. The plans in place include the creation of 62 apartments for over-55s, car parking, cycle storage, and attractive communal gardens, are moving forward at fast-paced.
Jack Brereton MP, has been a key supporter of The Crown Works development and has worked with both Stoke-on-Trent City Council, OVI Homes, and ministers since initial plans were first discussed.
Jack Brereton, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, has commented:
“I am very pleased to hear that planning approval has been given for the Crown Works site in Longton which is progressing thanks to match funding we have secured through the Levelling up Fund.
Since its closure, the buildings have sat empty and derelict, attracting significant vandalism over time. It will be fantastic to see this site now transformed whilst preserving many of the important historical features.
The redevelopment of the Crown Works as a key gateway to Longton will help to rejuvenate the whole town centre. This is the latest step in residents seeing levelling up achievements materialise, and I will continue to work closely with OVI Homes and the Council to ensure this project is fully delivered.”
Speaking following the announcement, OVI Homes Chairman David Taylor CBE, said:
“OVI has worked tirelessly to breathe new life into this exciting regeneration prospect. Full planning approval offers a huge boost to our ambitious development plans for 2023/2024, and our long-standing commitment to the Crown Works site in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent is an incredibly positive and exciting part of that investment.
“The Crown Works development will transform the gateway to Longton and we have taken time and care to understand the specific challenges on site and the surrounding area to find a sensitive but contemporary building and landscape design.
“Our collaborative approach complements complex public and private regeneration, and the highly positive planning response allows us to begin to build a lasting and productive relationship with the Stoke-on-Trent Council team and local stakeholders across the city on a broad range of projects for the future”.
