More than £600,000 extra set to be invested in multi-million-pound affordable home scheme in Tunstall

Plans to inject extra investment to deliver 14 new affordable homes on a town centre brownfield site are set to get the green light.

Councillors are being asked to approve an updated total scheme cost of £3.04 million for the development of the former Lily Gertrude Simister Court in Tunstall.

The former site, on Wesley Street, has already been cleared following demolition of the previous building, and planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment.

The site forms part of the council’s Housing Delivery Pipeline and represents a significant investment in both affordable housing provision and the regeneration of a vacant brownfield site.

The approved scheme would provide 14 one-bedroom affordable apartments designed to modern standards and aimed at helping meet local housing demand.

The homes will be built to nationally described space standards, with ground-floor properties designed to be accessible and adaptable for older residents and people with disabilities. The development will also include shared outdoor amenity space and parking with electric vehicle charging points.

The overall scheme cost has increased from the £2.43 million in February 2024 to £3.04 million due to inflation, further design development and site-specific works, including drainage, retaining structures and other infrastructure requirements. However, the revised funding strategy includes additional support from external sources.

Cabinet will next week decide whether to approve the upgraded total cost of the scheme alongside an increase of £615,522 to the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme to enable the project to move forward.

If approved, a construction contract could be awarded later this year, with work expected to start on site in January 2027. Completion of the new homes is forecast for January 2028.

Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for safe and resilient communities and housing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “This scheme represents an important investment in affordable housing and the continued regeneration of Tunstall.

“By bringing a vacant brownfield site back into use, we will create 14 modern, energy-efficient homes that are designed to meet residents’ needs now and into the future.”