CITY OF STOKE-ON-TRENT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT ...

Meir4.56 Meir provides the eastern gateway of Stoke-on-Trent as it lies in the south eastcorner of the City, just over a mile from Longton, and serves a small localisedcatchment in the surrounding communities. Retail development is concentratedprincipally on Weston Road and a small shopping parade, off Uttoxeter Way andalthough it is not one of the traditional ‘six towns’ centres, it functions as small scalefocal point of community life.4.57 Enhancement of the existing retail provision within Meir centre is an importantconsideration. There is potential in the short to medium term for modest additionalretail floorspace which could be brought forward as a windfall proposal. The towncentre boundary has been amended to reflect new built development and the A50 inthis area.Site Options and Reasoned JustificationPickford Place In-centre development proposal. The former car park should be broughtback into use as a public car park.Morrison Supermarket Out-of centre development proposal, off Whittle Road, Meir Park.Taking North Staffs Retail -Study need requirements - No needrequirement given commitmentsWould result in loss of sub-regionally significant employment siteMeir Town Centre Policy (Plan 8)Policy SS21a) In-centre developments in Meir are supported by planning policy and areacceptable in principle for town centre uses, including retail:b) City Council will support retail development within Meir up to a thresholdof about 500 square metres.c) Retail developments not in centre and retail developments proposedabove the threshold stated at criterion b) will be assessed on a sitespecific basis and will require full retail impact assessments inaccordance with the requirements in PPS6: Planning for Town Centres.Fenton4.58 Fenton is one of the Six Stoke-on-Trent Towns and is located between Stoke-Upon-Trent and Longton. Fenton derives its town centre designation because of itshistorical role, rather than its retailing offer which is more characteristic of a localcentre and provides a Sports and Leisure focus for Stoke-on-Trent.4.59 The principal shopping area is to the north side of City Road. There is a separateFenton Local Centre (with some 35 commercial units) on Victoria Road. North of theFenton Local Centre is the Ravenside Retail Park and other free-standing retail uses,which is classed as an out of centre and free-standing retail park.4.60 In order to improve upon the local shopping offer of Fenton there is the potential formodest additional retail to serve a local catchment which could be brought forward aspart of a windfall mixed use scheme, as appropriate.50