Capital & Centric has put forward plans to create a £60 million urban quarter next to Stoke-on-Trent's train station.

The social impact developers recently consulted on plans for the Goods Yard, a mixed-use community featuring new homes, works spaces, shops, bars, cafes and a new public square at the Swift House site. The project recently received £16 million from the Government's Levelling Up Fund.

The planning application is packed full of design features to bring the space alive and transform from tired industrial buildings to a vibrant, urban quarter for people to call home or spend time. It includes the Goods Yard Square, a bustling public square open to everyone, perfect for pop-up events. Capital & Centric also plan to restore the derelict Network Rail signal box into a café bar; restore the stunning, locally-listed vaulted warehouse; and re-open the waters edge to the public.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric, said: "We've been floored with the reaction from Stoke-on-Trent and the positivity shown for the Goods Yard. We've designed every inch of the site to create a genuine community, with design-led new homes surrounded by new public spaces, shops, work spaces, bars and cafes.


"Our design really celebrates the heritage of the area and the awesome site location, from the planned detailing in the public square – a nod to the site's historic railway connection – to the re-opening of the water's edge and stunning vaulted warehouse for people to enjoy. This is a real moment for Stoke-on-Trent. People are excited for the Goods Yard and we can’t wait to deliver a special community that people can be really proud of."

Located next to Stoke-on-Trent train station – making it HS2 connected – and on the doorstep of Staffordshire University, the Trent and Mersey Canal and the A500, the site is in an ideal location for commuters, students, visitors and businesses.

Capital & Centric is working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to bring forward the landmark project.

Plans for the Goods Yard include:

• The Goods Yard Living: Featuring over 170 design-led apartments for rent, with a mix of 1,2 and 3-bed homes. The new building is planned to feature private resident gardens, as well as resident facilities such as a café or bike repair shop, alongside other uses such as a gym or convenience store.

• Signal Box: A café-bar in what is currently a derelict Network Rail signal box.

• Vaults Warehouse: Restoration of the stunning, locally-listed, brick vaulted, below ground warehouse to create a combined workspace and leisure venue.

• Canalside Jetty: Opening up the water's edge to the public and creating a potential mooring point for visiting canal boats or a water taxi.

• The Pavilion: A contemporary building with an industrial feel that will provide 5,000sq.ft. of floor area in a double height space that will be made available for workspace and/or leisure uses.

• The Goods Yard Square: A bustling public square at the heart of the site, with seating, gardens and spaces for pop-up events, with pedestrian and cycle links to the surrounding area.

• A Hotel: A 150-bed hotel (to be delivered as part of Phase 2).