Residents are invited to 'drop-in' to view village masterplan proposals

The local community in Knutton are being invited to have their say once again this week, following on from a comprehensive public consultation programme on the Knutton Masterplan that took place early last year. As well as local residents, at that stage the Council also consulted businesses, community groups and partner organisations from across the borough. 

Cllr. Stephen Sweeney, Cabinet member for finance, town centres and growth, said: “The consultation last year was very well received and a huge range of comments and opinions were submitted to us. Each and every one of them was carefully considered for inclusion in the evolving proposals.

“I know that the masterplan will make Knutton a much more vibrant place to live, work and spend leisure time and I hope that local people continue to share their thoughts with us as we move forward and will take the chance take part in these events.”

The drop-in events are taking place this Thursday, 19 May, from 6-8pm at Knutton Library and Saturday, 21 May, from 11am-3pm at Knutton Children’s Centre.

The events are free, residents of all ages are welcome and there is no need to pre-book. As an added incentive there will be free refreshments on both days and complimentary family activities provided on Saturday.

Professor Trevor McMillan, Vice Chancellor of Keele University and Chair of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Deal Board, said: “This investment will make a significant difference to many people through a series of exciting projects in the town centre and other parts of the borough. These meetings are an important chance for residents to comment on what is intended in each project.”

At the two events residents can expect to see detailed plans of the proposals, with artists’ drawings, plans and aerial shots. The events will be attended by representatives from the Council, Staffordshire County Council and Aspire.

The Knutton Village project was one of a number included in the Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Investment Plan and the Newcastle Town Deal Board was subsequently awarded £23.6 million funding to deliver them.  

The proposals include:

• A new sports pavilion with changing and showering facilities at ‘The Wammy’;
• the development of more than 240 aspirational new homes to attract higher income families;
• a new village hall and village green;
• the re-modelling and improvement of part of Knutton Enterprise Centre’s business accommodation, including improvements to the centre’s frontage on to High Street;
• traffic calming measures to be introduced to High Street and Blackbank Road with improvements to the Church Lane and Milehouse Lane junction and
• Aspire Housing’s Gordon Court and Castletown Grange to receive extensive refurbishment and modernisation.

Newcastle-under-Lyme was one of 101 towns to be selected for a Town Deal. This has seen the Council receive more than £25 million for the proposals in Newcastle, Kidsgrove and Knutton.

For more information, or - if you want to take part but won’t be able to attend these sessions - please email: richard.corfe@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk