New vision set to transform future of Chatterley Whitfield

A new vision is set to secure the future of one of the country’s most important industrial sites and transform it into a major heritage and economic asset for the city.

Plans would bring Chatterley Whitfield back into sustainable use as a hub for heritage, innovation and clean energy, while protecting and celebrating its unique industrial legacy.

The proposals will be considered by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Cabinet at a meeting on 8 September.

Chatterley Whitfield is the most complete surviving deep coal mining site in England. Covering around 100 hectares, the Scheduled Monument includes a number of Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings.

However, the site remains on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the need to secure its long-term future.

The vision is built around three key areas:

• Celebrating the rebirth of the heritage of Chatterley Whitfield - using the site’s heritage to support its regeneration and future use.
• Digital and heat commercial developments - exploring opportunities for new commercial uses and investment, including a data centre and minewater heat technologies.
• Making the heritage and nature of the site available - creating opportunities for more people to access and experience Chatterley Whitfield and its natural environment.

The plans would create opportunities to generate income that could be reinvested into securing, restoring and preserving Chatterley Whitfield’s heritage assets, helping to bring the site back into active use.

Initial studies have already helped shape the vision. As part of taking the plans forward, £185,000 from the council’s capital contingency fund would support further work to develop the scheme and help secure direct investment into the site.

As part of the proposals, cabinet will also be asked to approve the transfer of historic mining artefacts to the Chatterley Whitfield Friends who have played a vital role in preserving the site’s heritage.

The volunteer-led organisation already operates a Heritage Centre and Remembrance Garden at the site.

The transfer would help secure the future of an important collection of mining artefacts, documents, plans and equipment.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure, planning and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Chatterley Whitfield is one of the most important industrial heritage sites in the country. As the most complete surviving deep coal mining site in England, it deserves a future that matches its significance.

“We’ve been clear that Stoke-on-Trent is facing a heritage emergency and we need to find a sustainable way forward for Chatterley Whitfield

“By bringing heritage together with new commercial uses, we have an opportunity to change the narrative around the site – turning it from a potential risk and liability into a genuine asset for the city.

“This vision gives us a way forward that can protect what makes Chatterley Whitfield so important while creating new opportunities for investment and bringing the site back into active use.

“Chatterley Whitfield helped power Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial past. Through heritage, innovation and clean energy, this vision could see it play a part in powering our future too.”

Nigel Bowers BEM, Chair of the Chatterley Whitfield Friends, said: “Exciting times ahead. The 'Friends' are glad to see movement and it is nice to see that, working with our local councillor, the voice of Whitfield is being heard. It’s our hope that the planned development will benefit the historic buildings on site and secure its future.”

If the plans are approved, the council will progress further technical studies, stakeholder engagement and market discussions to help develop the proposals and explore investment opportunities.