A strong and effective partnership between St. Modwen Homes and Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been fundamental to transforming the former Victoria Ground with 200 new homes, a park and school sports facilities.
The new development, to be known as Victoria Park is the site of the former stadium of Stoke City Football Club. St. Modwen acquired the site in 1997 as part of the club’s relocation to the new Britannia Stadium. Planning permission was granted in 2007 for the redevelopment of the Victoria Ground site for residential use but onset of the recession and other technical complications associated with the site caused delay to its progression. St. Modwen Homes initially unveiled plans for part of the site in 2016 and a public exhibition received positive comments from key stakeholders and local residents with three consistent themes:
- a strong desire to see a comprehensive scheme come forward, encompassing the land on both sides of the River Trent
- the opportunity afforded by the development to address the current shortfall of outdoor sports provision at the adjacent primary school
- the tremendous community benefit that would result from the naturalisation of the River Trent, and reconnection of the riverside walk in this location.
Taking on board this feedback, St. Modwen Homes has worked closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to enable a two-phased planning application to be brought forward for this 16 acre site. Planning permission was granted in Autumn 2017 and construction has now commenced. The first phase consists of 130 homes, built directly off Boothen Old Road.
I have made it clear that a key priority for the city council was to bring this very important site into use and I am really proud that we have secured this investment. This is an important development site for the regeneration of the city and as such we want to see it brought back into constructive use in a way that improves the area, and brings much needed new facilities for the community.
David Sidaway City Director, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
In the second phase, 70 homes will be built between the existing primary school and the A500 with significant works being carried out to establish new school sports pitches and a landscaped linear park.
In parallel, the city council have also been working with the Environment Agency to bring about improvements the biodiversity of the River Trent watercourse which runs through the site. If funding bids are successful the aim will be to create stronger links between the school and the neighbouring river enabling this natural feature to be used for educational purposes.
With its ‘open for business’ attitude, the city council has enabled St. Modwen Homes to prepare a high quality design and layout to create popular and stylish homes close to Stoke’s city centre. The council has also opened up discussions between St. Modwen Homes and the local primary school to assess the feasibility of including sports facilities in the overall design of the scheme. The school does not currently have any sports facilities so new provision would greatly improve the pupil experience.
Partnership working with the city council and consultation with other local stakeholders and residents has been an integral part of the development process and will continue through to construction and in the ongoing management and advancement of the site. The collaborative partnership between Stoke-on-Trent City Council and St. Modwen Homes will ensure visual, environmental and economic improvements for the benefit of existing and new communities.
I have made it clear that a key priority for the city council was to bring this very important site into use and I am really proud that we have secured this investment. This is an important development site for the regeneration of the city and as such we want to see it brought back into constructive use in a way that improves the area, and brings much needed new facilities for the community.
David Sidaway City Director, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
We understand that the Victoria Ground is an important site for both the people of Stoke-on-Trent and the city council and we have worked hard on the proposed plans for the new development, ensuring we have secured input from the immediate and broader Stoke community. Having taken the comments from the public consultation on board, particularly for the second phase of development, we are looking forward to turning our plans for Victoria Park into reality, breathing new life into the community and the surrounding areas and changing this area of Stoke in a positive and meaningful way.
Dave Smith Managing Director, St. Modwen Homes