A Potteries community is to be given an “identity of its own” as part of plans to regenerate the area and attract businesses to fill its empty buildings.

RENEW North Staffs unveiled plans for Northwood at a special meeting with residents on September 24, 2009, at the Hope Centre, in Hanley.

They pledged to fill Northwood’s 147 empty buildings and give the area its own character by attracting new businesses and encouraging landlords to bring vacant properties back into use.

It has also been confirmed that no buildings in Northwood will be demolished for the foreseeable future.

Nick Newman, programme manager from RENEW North Staffs, believes Northwood can profit from investments in Hanley.

He said: “Northwood is a nice area. It has its problems, but every area does. Our plan here is that all of the improvements to the city centre will seep into Northwood so that this area can see the benefits.

“Not enough happens in Northwood, but the vision is to attract businesses and people.

“We want it to have an identity of its own. It can be the thought of as a nice place for people who want to live only a few minutes walk from the city centre.”

Moorlands Housing is to consult private owners and encourage them to bring their properties back into use - in some cases by signing them over to the council on a temporary basis so improvements can be made.

Under this scheme properties are renovated to boost their market appeal and let by the council until costs are covered, at which point they are signed back to owners.

Paul Breeze, chairman of the Hanley One Residents’ Association, believes the plans are a sign of Northwood making progress.

He said: “I really do think that Northwood is moving forward. A lot of people who come to the meetings and speak to me generally are sceptical about what they hear.

“But what they don’t see is the work that is going on behind the scenes to make the area a better place to live. Generally I think the feeling about Northwood is good.

“A big part of the plans is the filling of empty properties which will involve a lot of work with landlords in getting them to do something about it.”

Proposals also include creating green walkways that will encourage pedestrians to visit Northwood Park.

Moves will be made to improve the appearance of ‘gateways’ to Northwood like Keelings Road, Potteries Way and Bucknall New Road - commonly used by traffic passing through the area.

The proposals are the result of 10 months of surveying and research, and residents will now have until November to complete surveys and offer feedback.

A ‘masterplan’ for the area’s future will be revealed when public feedback has been considered.