More than 100 apartments could be built on wasteland in the city center. Oasis International Investments Ltd has submitted plans for a nine-storey complex of 114 apartments and 1,082 square meters of retail and office space, on a site off Marsh Street North in Hanley.

The project would consist of three blocks – one with nine floors, one with seven floors and one with four floors. According to the planning application, there would be 54 one-bedroom apartments, 46 two-bedroom apartments and 14 three-bedroom apartments, while the commercial space would occupy the ground floor.

Part of the site is currently used as a private car park but it is mostly scrubland that has invaded since the demolition of a previous building. The petitioners say it has become a “hot spot for anti-social behavior” and a “dump”.

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According to plans, the proposed development would repurpose a derelict site, boost the local economy and meet local housing demand. The apartments will be aimed at young professionals, mature students and potentially young families.

It is expected that the construction of the complex will create 200 jobs, while up to 30 people could be employed in the new shops and in the management of the apartments. The proposed office offer would be a “coworking space” that could accommodate more than 30 companies.

The application states: “The development has the benefit of widening the choice of high quality accommodation in the town, which helps to attract people of all ages to the area, which would in turn have an positive knock-on effect on the local economy, it is therefore considered that the proposal would contribute to the continued regeneration of the town centre, thus providing wider social and economic benefits through increased investment and expenditure in the town.

“Besides the social benefits of the program, the economic benefits are also substantial. The development would help contribute to building a strong economy by creating jobs during the construction phase, as well as permanent jobs generated by the new use.

“The proposal would therefore enhance the vitality of the surrounding area as it would develop an important site in need of development while increasing levels of activity around the area, subsequently triggering public economic and social benefits due to investments and additional expenses due to an increase in the number of people in the area.

The site would have two main entry points, one from Marsh Street North and the other off Black Horse Lane, each served by a different parking area. The lower parking lot for the apartments could have 24 spaces, while the upper parking lot for the offices could have 14 spaces.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council planners are expected to make a decision on the plans by June 29.

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