New homes plan for former sheltered housing sites in Stoke-on-Trent

Plans to replace five former sheltered housing schemes with new homes for the city’s residents can now be revealed for the first time.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council agreed to demolish five decommissioned schemes as part of a Sheltered Housing Review, back in November 2018, and last year work started to clear each of the sites.

Now the city council’s cabinet is being asked to consider bringing forward the sites for re-development at a meeting on February 27, 2024.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, said: “We have made a significant investment in new housing in the city in recent years and we are committed to delivering high quality homes to ensure all of our residents can live well at home for longer.

“All of the sites are different in terms of size and layout, so the proposals which are being put forward are in their extremely early stages, and could change as we progress, but it is very exciting to be at this stage and to be building even more new homes in the city. We are confident that our residents will benefit from the redevelopment of these sites and are looking forward to being able to bring them back into use.”

Early proposals for the five sites include:

• Doris Robinson Court, Meir  – A 46-unit independent living complex for the over 55’s which will boast a mix of one and two-bed apartments;
• Union Court, Hanley – A walk-up apartment scheme;
• Lily Gertrude Simister Court, Tunstall – A one-bed apartments complex;
• Lady Bennett Court, Longton – Various housing options are being considered for this site, including an apartment scheme or a mixed development comprising of 10-12 one and two-bed bungalows and three-bed houses;
• Newhouse Court, Abbey Hulton – Various options are being considered for this site, including an apartment scheme and a mixed development comprising of nine one and two-bed bungalows and three and four-bed homes.

Councillor Robinson added: “The five former sheltered housing sites which were considered in the review were no longer fit for purpose. These have been replaced in recent years with the 57-room Queen Elizabeth Court complex and the 65-room Rialto Court complex, in Fenton, and the 114-room Chatterley Court development in Chell Heath which is currently under construction.

“We will be applying for funding under the Homes England Affordable Homes Programme to support the development of these sites and, if successful, we hope to see construction start on site by September 2025 and completion as early as March 2026.”