Stoke-on-Trent regeneration project enjoys visit from minister

Tue, Feb 26th 2008, 11:00

Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Communities and Local Government Department, was given a tour of Redrow’s development overlooking the Caldon Canal, as part of a visit to see how neighbourhoods in the town are being transformed by RENEW North Staffordshire and its partners.

Waters Edge is located on Wedgwood’s former Eagle Pottery site, off Ivy House Road in Hanley and the surrounding area is undergoing a major facelift as part of wider regeneration plans to create a modern urban neighbourhood, with canalside cafes and water activities. 

Housing market renewal pathfinder RENEW North Staffordshire is leading the regeneration work with partners in City Waterside, which will provide up to 2,400 new homes alongside revitalised Victorian terrace communities.
As well as his visit to Water’s Edge Mr Wright visited other examples of RENEW’s work, including a new community hall, homes under renovation and the new Waterside Primary School located just a short distance from Water’s Edge.

Mr Wright said: “It is great to have the opportunity to see how RENEW North Staffordshire is working with partners and local communities to link different types of regeneration. RENEW’s work demonstrates the importance of better schools, health centres, transport and community facilities to complement the work being done to provide new and better homes.”

It is hoped that the regeneration work will help to stop people moving away from central parts of Stoke-on-Trent.

Waters Edge will eventually feature 108 one and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom duplex apartments and three and four-bedroom homes. The venture is aimed at a wide range of buyers, from young professionals stepping onto the ladder to families who want larger homes with lots of space, as well as empty nesters – creating a diverse community.

The area also houses one of Redrow’s first Debut schemes, aimed at getting first time buyers onto the property ladder with affordable, modern homes, plus financial incentives such as a 10% deferred payment for up to 10 years on the initial purchase price and a single monthly service charge to cover all utility bills and external maintenance. All 136 of the affordable Debut homes were sold within a twelve month period.

During his visit Mr Wright met with Alan Dorn managing director of Redrow Homes (Midlands) and Pauline Turnbull sales director of Redrow Homes (Midlands).

Alan says: “We are delighted that Iain Wright found time in a very tight schedule to visit our Water’s Edge development as part of the programme.
“He was interested in the context of our development within the overall Renew regeneration plans and in the balance of private and affordable homes within the scheme.  In addition he was particularly interested in the use of modern methods of construction within Debut, the use and choice of materials and space both externally and internally.”

Stoke-on-Trent offers a mix of bars and restaurants and nearby Festival Park, bustling with shops, a cinema and bowling alley, has everything you need to keep the family entertained.

The nearby Cultural Quarter offers the perfect setting for a lazy afternoon with its continental markets and street entertainers, while the canal running through Water’s Edge gives the opportunity for a quiet stroll.

There is easy access to transport links via the M6 network, frequent bus services and Stoke-on-Trent mainline railway station is close by.
For information on Water’s Edge log onto www.redrow.co.uk/developments/view/95 or call 0845 676 0516