Growth Deal joint plan

The two councils acknowledge that the borough faces challenges like most communities in the Midlands/North of the UK. Being aware of them helps us to understand what we need to do to address them through the wealth of opportunities in our area.

Challenges

• Facilitating and enabling delivery of the joint local plan for housing and employment sites to create sustainable communities.

• Relatively slow progress by the private sector in delivering housing development.

• Relatively high levels of deprivation in cerytain wards and communities.

• Challenging retail economy undergoing structural change.

• Below average wages, as well as a need for upskilling.

Opportunities

• Excellent connectivity with the strategic road network including major road arteries of the M6, A34, A500 and A50.

• Proximity to HS2 and compatible stations including the West Coast Main Line as well as Kidsgrove Railway Station.

• Planned further expansion of Keele University and the Science and Innovation Park.

• High performing Newcastle and Stafford College Group.

• Large teaching hospital close to the town centre.

• Availability of comparatively low-cost but good quality living environments.

• Strong cultural and leisure offer including New Vic Theatre and 8-screen multiplex cinema.