A new deal for future prosperity and economic development in Newcastle-under-Lyme has been unveiled.
The ‘Growth Deal’ is a joint initiative between Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council that aims to reflect the continued and enhanced commitment of the two councils to working together in order to deliver on a number of specific initiatives for the area over the next four years.
The document outlines the shared priorities that can be achieved by close partnership working including economic growth, accelerated housing development, improved jobs and skills, and development of the borough’s distinctive identity.
Cllr. Simon Tagg, Leader of the Borough Council, said: “The aims and opportunities set out in this document are deliberately ambitious but we have an excellent track record of working with our partners to achieve shared goals, particularly the County Council.
Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, added: “We have a strong and successful relationship with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and have already delivered a great deal together over recent years.
The Growth Deal prioritises growing the professional services in Newcastle and making the most of the unique independent retail services.
Lancaster Building and the historic outdoor market have also been recognised as being key areas of focus in the town’s future and the Ryecroft site has been identified as one of the key drivers for a new direction in bringing forward land uses that will generate greater footfall in the town centre.
In Kidsgrove, town centre partners will work together to make sure that all parts of the community benefit from the many opportunities that HS2 can provide, including a regeneration package to secure the wider economic growth of the borough’s second town centre, which will include working with the community to develop deliverable plans for a new leisure centre, possibly as part of a new public services hub.
Some of the partner organisations that will be working closely with the two councils are: the Constellation Partnership (housing and employment around HS2), Midlands Connect (rail connectivity) and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (employment and skills).
Other geographical areas that are included in the shared vision are Knutton, where there will be more housing choice for local people, and Keele University and its Science and Innovation Park where the partners are seeking more high value, knowledge-economy jobs along with housing on parts of the former golf course.
The new Growth Deal continues the established close working of all of these partners and follows on from the commitments set out in the ‘Keele Deal’.
Over the last two decades, among other achievements, the partnership has helped to regenerate Silverdale Colliery and Holditch Colliery sites, creating more than 4,000 jobs and 300 new homes and, in more recent times, has delivered the Castle House building in Newcastle, a state-of-the-art shared hub for public services.
The ‘Growth Deal’ will be discussed by both Councils’ Cabinets this month, at Newcastle on 5 December and at Staffordshire County Council on 19 December.