Residents are being asked to give their views on how Stoke-on-Trent¿s heritage buildings can be protected as the city undergoes a major transformation.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Mandate for Change is making the city a great place to live, work and start new businesses.
However, at the same time, the council recognises the city’s unique and rich heritage is equally as important in its bid to create a great working city as the new developments which will rise up and create thousands of jobs.
To ensure the past can sit side-by-side with the future, the council is setting up a Heritage Commission and is encouraging members of the public to take part in a survey and put across their thoughts.
The responses from the survey will be used at two public Heritage Commission debates in Stoke-on-Trent which will be chaired by a panel of three experts, independent of the authority.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transportation, said: “Stoke-on-Trent has a unique and special heritage, most of which is related to the ceramics industry, but also includes prominent and historic structures from churches and theatres to railways, hospitals and canals.
“Creating jobs is our number one priority and we have to push ahead with that, but great buildings from the past can sit side-by-side with the emerging new developments ensuring we have a good blend of the old and the new.”
The heritage debates will take place at Burslem’s Swan Bank Methodist Church on March 18 between 4.30pm and 8.30pm and the council chamber at the Civic Centre between 12.30pm and 4.30pm on March 20.
Panel members include Peter Bounds, David Carr and Dorian Crone, who collectively have a wide experience of development in and around heritage assets.
Following the debates, the commission will produce a report which will be presented to cabinet members and published on the authority’s website to assist all future decisions regarding the city’s heritage.
Hard copies of the survey are available from libraries and responses, comments or questions can be returned by post to Heritage and Design Team, City Renewal, PO BOX 630, Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1HH or heritage@stoke.gov.uk
Alternatively the survey can be found and completed online at www.stoke.gov.uk/consultations
All replies must be received by Friday, March 8.
-Ends-
For all media enquiries please contact Ciara Hill in the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782
232130
Issued 21/02/13