Capital & Centric have submitted plans to create a striking €71m (£60m) urban quarter next to Stoke-on-Trent’s train station, with new images of the plans released. The social impact developers recently consulted on plans for the Goods Yard, a mixed-use community featuring new homes, works spaces, shops, bars, cafes and a new public square at the Swift House site. The project recently received €18.9m (£16m) from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund – one of three regeneration projects to benefit in Stoke-on-Trent up to the value of €66.2m (£56m) – the second-highest amount awarded in the UK.
The planning application details an exciting future for the site, packed full of design features to bring the space alive and transform from tired industrial buildings to a vibrant, urban quarter for people to call home or spend time. It includes the Goods Yard Square, a bustling public square open to everyone, perfect for pop-up events. Capital & Centric also plan to restore the derelict Network Rail signal box into a café bar; restore the stunning, locally-listed vaulted warehouse; and re-open the water's edge to the public.
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric, said: “We’ve been floored with the reaction from Stoke-on-Trent and the positivity shown for the Goods Yard. We’ve designed every inch of the site to create a genuine community, with design-led new homes surrounded by new public spaces, shops, workspaces, bars and cafes. Our design really celebrates the heritage of the area and the awesome site location, from the planned detailing in the public square – a nod to the site’s historic railway connection – to the re-opening of the water’s edge and stunning vaulted warehouse for people to enjoy. This is a real moment for Stoke-on-Trent. People are excited for the Goods Yard and we can’t wait to deliver a special community that people can be really proud of.”
Abi Brown, leader of the city council, said: “Being successful with not one, not two but three bids to the Levelling Up Fund was a fantastic result for our city, and a real vote of confidence in the direction we are moving. The funding will turbocharge our regeneration plans and provide new jobs, homes and investment into our local economy. Obviously, the Goods Yard was the focus of one of our successful Levelling Up Fund bids and it’s exciting that Capital & Centric have kept the momentum going by submitting their planning application. This is an HS2 connected site with a massive amount of potential, and one we have been pushing forward as a fantastic development opportunity to the market for the last four years. These things don’t just happen overnight or without a lot of hard work behind the scenes so to now be at the stage where a planning application has gone in is a fantastic sign of progress in itself and very encouraging. There are so many great things happening across the city right now, and many more projects in the pipeline that will transform derelict sites and disused buildings into thriving places to live, work and play. Stoke-on-Trent is open for business and we will continue to push for the very best for the city and our residents.”
