Three historic bottle kilns have been repaired and restored as part of wider plans for a new housing development.
Work to preserve the kilns – known as Three Sisters – has been completed at Bournes Bank, in Burslem, after Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s successful bid for grant funding from Homes England.
The funding has enabled the site, off Wood Street, to be brought forward for housing and work can now start on transforming it into a new estate for 43 two and three-bedroom homes.
The kilns will be fenced off from the main housing development but the intention is to eventually bring part of the area which houses them forward for community use in the future.
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, said: “The repair of these kilns is a really positive step forward. Not only will they add to the overall look of the new housing estate but they will also serve as an example of our commitment to preserving our city’s heritage and safeguarding our historical assets.
“One of our key priorities is ensuring that everybody has a safe and warm home to live in so it is fantastic that we are bringing new homes to the city and it’s even better that we are able to transform brownfield land which has been vacant for more than a decade.
“This site is very close to the town centre so we expect that these new homes will also have a really positive effect on the local economy.”
Bournes Bank is one of a number of sites identified for redevelopment in 2018 after Stoke-on-Trent City Council was awarded around £9.5 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to facilitate the building of around 1,100 new homes on derelict brownfield land.
The first of these sites to be completed was the former Wood & Sons’ Stanley Pottery Works site, off Newport Lane in Burslem, last year, which now accommodates 99 homes.
Adnan Siddiqi, managing director at Amstone Developments Limited - which carried out the remedial work to the kilns - said: “Amstone are delighted to have played a part in bringing this long-term derelict site back to life, refurbishing the historic kilns and preparing the site for Your Housing Group to bring forward 43 much-needed affordable homes.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the pragmatic approaches of the teams at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Homes England and Your Housing Group. Hopefully this is this first of many schemes that we will deliver in the Potteries.”
The new homes – which are expected to be completed by next summer (2025) - are being delivered by housing provider Your Housing Group and will be available for affordable rent, shared ownership and Rent to Buy.
Lorraine Donnelly, development director of Your Housing Group, said: “It’s great to see the restoration of such an iconic landmark for Burslem.
“Our development will create a wonderful addition to the local community providing much needed quality homes. The site is just a short walk from the centre of Burslem, local amenities and schools. It is another key development to support Your Housing Group’s ongoing commitment to deliver new affordable homes to support its pledge to Homes England.”
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