Library building 'given a new life' as flats approved

Reusing city centre site ‘is really positive’ say planners

- Phil Corrigan Local Democracy Reporter

REVISED plans to turn the former city centre library building into dozens of flats have been approved.

The old Hanley Library will be converted into 89 apartments - with a three-storey vertical extension - along with a ground floor gym and four retail units.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council previously refused an application for 106 flats and four new floors in 2023, due to concerns over road safety, fire safety and residential amenity. This led to lengthy negotiations between applicant Hanley Library Redevelopment Ltd and the city council, resulting in the scaled-back proposals.

Planning committee members welcomed the amended plans, saying they would provide much-needed homes while bringing a major city centre building back into use. Hanley Library, which dates back to 1970, has been closed since 2023, with services being moved to the nearby Two Smithfield building.