Traditional small terraced houses in a regeneration area are to be joined together to make new, bigger, houses as part of plans to provide homes for larger families.

RENEW North Staffordshire, the housing market renewal pathfinder, is working with Beth Johnson Housing Association, the Housing Corporation and national regeneration agency English Partnerships to fund the pilot project.
 
RENEW has acquired three pairs of properties in Kimberley Road, St Luke Street and Sefton Street in Shelton. These are planned for conversion into three single houses, with three or four bedrooms and spacious living areas.

A further three next door properties in Ivy House Road, Hanley, are planned to be converted into two properties of three or four bedrooms each.
 
The houses to be converted are all in streets that are already benefiting from a multi-million pound facelift to make Hanley and Shelton a more attractive and popular place to live.
 
RENEW has agreed funding of £100,000 towards the project, and further funding is expected to come from the Housing Corporation. The estimated cost for conversion of each property is between £33,000 and £41,000.

Architects will now work up detailed plans for the conversions and building work is expected to begin later this year. The refurbishment will include fitting of insulation and energy efficient boilers, to achieve high environmental standards.

The homes will be made available for rent or shared ownership through Beth Johnson to families in the local area.
 
Stoke-on-Trent elected mayor Mark Meredith said: “This innovative project will explore new ways of modernising and reusing older terraced houses. It will also provide homes for local families who want to stay in the area but who can’t find a big enough place in the area now.
 
“When the pilot project has been completed we will see whether it is something that can be done with more houses in other streets.
 
“It is a good example of how RENEW and its partners are working to improve housing choice and regenerate our neighbourhoods.”
 
Beth Johnson director of development Graham Nolan said:  “We are providing a range of housing choices in the Hanley and Shelton areas, from affordable new homes to renovated older terraces.
 
“These converted houses will provide new affordable homes and help meet the housing needs of larger families.”