The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, Michael Gove MP, set out the Government’s long-term plan for housing and regeneration this week.
Included in the announcement were further plans for regeneration, inner-city densification and housing delivery across England and landmark investments of £150 million to Greater Manchester and £100 million to the West Midlands.
Stoke-on-Trent is also set to play a vital part in the Government’s long-term plan with the Secretary of State announcing the establishment of the new Office for Place which will be located in Stoke-on-Trent. The Office for Place is a new body which will lead a design revolution, ensuring beautiful new homes are built according to a simple design code supported by local people. They will support residents to demand what they find beautiful from developers – ensuring every local place is built to reflect the individual local character and beauty of every community across the country.
The Office for Place is expected to bring new skilled jobs into Stoke-on-Trent once fully operational. Local MPs have been quick to welcome the Government announcement which has been seen as a further Levelling Up opportunity for the city.
Jack Brereton, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent South said:
“It is fantastic news that Stoke-on-Trent has been named as the location for the Government’s new flagship public body the Office for Place and shows our city remains at the heart of the Governments work to level up opportunities across the country. This will see the creation of new high skilled roles in Stoke-on-Trent and builds on the jobs already being created locally through the new Home Office Hub.
Having a new organisation of such prominence like this locating here shows the level of importance the Government gives to Stoke-on-Trent and the Office for Place will be particularly useful in the efforts currently underway to further regenerate our city.”
Jonathan Gullis, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke has commented:
"Today's news is yet another big win for Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Since 2015 your local Conservatives have created 9,000 new jobs in Stoke-on-Trent, delivered 500 new Home Office jobs at Smithfield Two, created up to 1,700 new jobs at Chatterley Valley West, and now more high skilled, high wage jobs come from the Office for Place.
"I recently showed this landmark organisation around the Mother Town of Burslem, to help Stoke-on-Trent City Council and I think how we can breathe new life into the Indoor Market, Wedgwood Institute, and Queen's Theatre. Having their expertise to help us deliver beautifully designed communities, will help us to continue levelling up our small but mighty city, and make Stoke-on-Trent stand out in creating new homes and rejuvenated town centres."
Jo Gideon, Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central added:
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome the newly formed Office for Place to Stoke-on-Trent. With a rich artistic history steeped in the potteries industry, our city has always stood as a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship, a living testament to beauty and innovation. It is only fitting that a place so synonymous with creativity and design becomes the birthplace of an initiative aimed at enhancing the aesthetics of our built environment. Having lobbied tirelessly for more government attention, I am delighted that our city will host this project that champions design, aesthetics, and the creation of beautiful, appealing environments. This move by the Government signals their confidence in Stoke's potential and our ability to contribute to the nation's future.”
