2,400 new homes planned in Midlands' waterside development

An innovative development of canalside terraced houses and apartments is to be built in City Waterside, Stoke-on-Trent, following a competition held by national regeneration agency English Partnerships.

Lovell has been appointed by English Partnerships to build the new homes on around one hectare of land between the Caldon Canal and historic Hanley Park.

Developers were asked to come up with proposals that would meet the high standards required for the new City Waterside neighbourhood, where around 2,400 new homes are planned over the coming 10-15 years.

The contemporary design of the Lovell scheme will create a community of modern terraced houses and apartments, with the apartment buildings forming landmarks at the corners of the development.

The design also includes a strong frontage to the canal and Hanley Park, large south-facing balconies and modern materials such as cedar boarding and brightly coloured render. Car parking is screened in courtyards behind the new homes.

English Partnerships bought the site, a former electricity sub station, after supporting local partners in creating a masterplan for City Waterside in 2006.

Peter Murray, English Partnerships area director for the West Midlands, said: 'This is a superb site, overlooking the canal and rolling hills on one side and restored Hanley Park on the other.

'Through this development we will be able to realise the potential of City Waterside as a well-designed new neighbourhood where people will enjoy living, close to excellent local facilities.'

City Waterside is a new urban neighbourhood set on a south facing hill around the tranquil Caldon Canal, just south of Stoke-on-Trent city centre. City Waterside is being promoted by partnership including the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership, English Partnerships, RENEW North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Housing Corporation, Advantage West Midlands and British Waterways.

Lovell has been formally appointed by English Partnerships through a development agreement. The site already has outline planning permission and Lovell has applied for full planning permission from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The Lovell scheme is for 91 homes, which will be a mix of housing types and sizes. Of these 15 per cent will be affordable homes, with a mix of rent through a housing association, shared ownership and low cost sale.

Work is expected to begin in late spring this year, with the first homes ready for occupation in summer 2009. The development will be completed by summer 2010.