Genr8 Developments has announced that plans for its 730-space car park at Smithfield, Stoke-on-Trent have been unanimously approved.
The developer behind Smithfield held an online public consultation for the car park last summer – which included details of the planned works and insight into what the MSCP could look like – ahead of submitting the planning application in September 2020.
The MSCP will be developed on the existing 106-space Broad Street car park, supplying additional modern and secure parking facilities for local residents and visitors to Stoke-on-Trent City Centre – as well as meeting demand from Smithfield’s office, hotel, and residential developments.
It is anticipated that the car park will be operational in 2022.
Richard Ingham, partner at Genr8, said: “2020 was a transformational year for Smithfield, as we saw the completion and opening of the Hilton Garden Inn and the Clayworks scheme – the first build-to-rent development to be brought to Stoke-on-Trent.
“Momentum is critical in regeneration and it’s fantastic that following the completion of the hotel and Clayworks, we can press on quickly with the delivery of the new MSCP. As Smithfield continues to grow, there is a natural requirement for more high quality, safe and secure parking, and we’re proud to be able to provide this for both Smithfield and the wider city centre.
“The MSCP is another step forward in Stoke-on-Trent’s renaissance, as the city’s ambitious growth plans continue to take shape. Amenity and infrastructure such as this car park will be crucial in helping to ‘power up’ the city once more as we begin to build back from COVID.”
Cllr Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and heritage, said: “This is a significant milestone in the ongoing regeneration of the city centre and we’re really looking forward to the development getting under way.
“As Smithfield and the wider city centre area continues to grow and expand, it’s vital we have first class infrastructure like this multi-storey car park, with the ability to fit out new electrical charging and emerging technologies, that will ultimately support what is on offer not just now but for generations to come. That is why this long-awaited development, which is being led and financed by the council, is so important.
“We know how difficult the pandemic has been, but we are doing everything we can to make sure the city emerges from coronavirus in the strongest position possible, and this announcement sends out a really positive message that we are open for business as we build back better for the future.”
In 2020, Genr8 had its plans for the next phase of development at the site approved, which will see 3 Smithfield, a 62,000 sq. ft. Grade A office building, being delivered.
The delivery of the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and Clayworks last year was in addition to the existing 210,000 sq. ft. of office space already completed at Smithfield, which is occupied by a mix of both private businesses and the public sector.
It is expected that works will start on the car park within the next couple of months.
Smithfield is being delivered by Genr8 in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council.