Countdown to North Shelton consultation

20 May 2010

The first of four exhibitions is launched this weekend in North Shelton where detailed plans to rejuvenate eight sites in the area will be unveiled.  

Views from local people will shape preferred development options for the following sites:

• The creation of a pedestrian route in Snow Hill bordered by mews houses next to St Mark’s Church, the refurbishment of the Bell and Bear pub, the redevelopment of the chest clinic on Wellesley Street into family housing and the creation of a nature trail next to the local primary school.
• The clearance of six houses on Raymond Street and using the area for employment purposes or potential improved access routes.
• The creation of 17 family homes ranging from two to five bedrooms on land between Norfolk Street and the Caldon Canal.
• The building of 64 new homes, 302 apartments and 2,200sqm of commercial and other business space on largely derelict land between Bedford Road, Howard Place, Shearer Street and Shelton New Road.
• The creation of 23 houses, 39 apartments and almost 4,000sqm of commercial space on the corner of Snow Hill and Shelton New Road, including redeveloping the Elms restaurant and converting and extending the Snow Hill college building.
• The creation of 21 houses and 10 apartments on compulsory purchased sites on Bedford Place, Rectory Road and Havelock Place.
• The demolition of a small number of houses on the corner of Rectory Road and Argyle Street, and replacing them with three new houses.
• The retention of open space backing on to Clough Street.

The preferred options for the sites have been identified following extensive work to develop a masterplan for the area which began last February. It involved a six-week consultation on each of the sites last September, where residents were asked to choose between three options for the future development of each site. Masterplan work is being prepared by architect Hulme Upright, and focuses on parts of North Shelton that would benefit from investment, regeneration and contribute to the wider improvement of the area.

The exhibitions will take place at: 

• Rectory Road Community Centre, Sunday 23 May, 1pm – 4pm, where an Urdu speaking member of staff will be available.
• The Ember Lounge, Staffordshire University Student Union, Wednesday 26 May, 1pm – 4pm.
• The Lift Centre, Norfolk Street, Wednesday 16 June, 1 – 4pm.
• The Islamic Centre, Bedford Road, Wednesday 23 June, 1 – 4pm, where an Urdu speaking member of staff will be available. 

Councillor Brian Ward, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The events are the chance for local people to find out about and comment on proposals that will shape how their community will be developed. It is vitally important that as many residents as possible come along so that they can have their say and their views can be considered. Residents will be able to see exhibition boards and talk to officers to find out more about the plans. 

“Feedback from the events will be carefully considered. We are also carrying out questionnaires to ensure we get as many comments as possible.

“The preferred options will be subject to a thorough appraisal, considering cost, deliverability and compliance with planning policies which will then inform the development of the final masterplan.” 

Click here to see the masterplan documents

Click here to see the an animated fly-through of the North Shelton masterplan