At least 250 new homes could be built in a Stoke-on-Trent community to help regenerate the area.

RENEW North Staffordshire revealed its latest plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of North Shelton at the first of six exhibitions on September 30, 2009.

The first four-hour public consultation session was held at The Lift Centre, in Norfolk Street.

The exhibitions are being held to ask for people’s views on the possible redevelopment of eight sites in the area, which are included in a masterplan by architects Hulme Upright.

The sites include terraces in Raymond Street, Cooper Street and College Road, Rectory Road sports and social club and The Elms restaurant, adjacent former college buildings and industrial premises.

Three options have been drawn up for each of the eight sites and the consultation sessions are being held to help planners choose a preferred option for each one.

So far options drawn-up include improving green space, creating more housing, retail and business space and improving the road network.

Nick Newman, programme manager for RENEW, said: “With Shelton's proximity to the city centre, and the proposed business district, Shelton is an area which has a lot of potential for redevelopment and some very good selling points.

“We are very keen to listen to the views of the residents who live in the area, and they will be taken into account when we come to develop the preferred option for the area.

“What we have noticed with Shelton is that it is quite a diverse and modern community, where people are willing to consider all types of regeneration and designs.

“Shelton needs to be an area where people want to come and live and where families can grow up, and for that to happen we need to make sure we have three and four bedroom houses available for them, as well as smaller flats.

“We would be looking at a minimum of 250 homes from the initial options that have been drawn-up.

“These are very exciting times for the area.”

Once preferred options have been chosen for each site, further public consultation will be held in November, before final plans are drawn up.

Planning applications would then have to be submitted in the hope of attracting potential developers.

Vic Rawlingson, chairman of the Upper Shelton Residents’ Association, was one of the residents who looked at the plans.

He said: “I think their will be a lot of mixed views on the plans.I just hope the area doesn't get inundated with flats. We need more family homes if we want to encourage people to bring families up in Shelton.

“The area definitely needs the regeneration because it is starting to look like Beirut in places with all the boarded-up shops and houses. The sooner they are brought down, the better.”

Eight options to revitalise a community...

Site one

Snowhill, including the Bell and Bear pub, adjacent terrace houses, and houses to the north of Coutts Street and Wood Terrace.

Option one: Modest changes to create a mixed-use development. Chest Clinic site redeveloped for low density housing. New-build mixed-use development on the empty site next to the Bell and Bear pub, and on the corner of Wood Terrace/junction with Snow Hill. Redevelop Cutt Street for new housing, new-build housing on Cutt Street/Wood Terrace site. Re-shaping of taxi depot and environmental screening.

Option two: Same as option one, but with proposed redevelopment at Wood Terrace for possible relocation of taxi depot. Existing taxi depot site used to deliver improving setting for St Mark's School. Improve greenspace link throughout the site.

Option three: Same as option two, but with Chest Clinic site redeveloped for high density housing. New public space to enhance the setting of St Mark's Church. A new mixed development to the southern boundary of Cutt Street.

Site two

Terraced properties in Raymond Street, Cooper Street and College Road, which are surrounded by light engineering and office developments.

Option one: No change

Option two: Six houses surrounded by employment space on three sides to be cleared for employment uses.

Option three: All 30 houses on site cleared and area used for employment purposes.

Site three

The site is bounded by the new LIFT development to the west, Norfolk Street to the North and the Caldon canal to the south and the rear of houses on Harcourt Street to the east.

Option one: Low density semi-detached housing with gardens

Option two: Medium density Semi-detached housing or modern terraces

Option three: High density Semi-detached housing or modern terraces

Site four

Area bounded by the canal, Bedford Street and Howard Place, dissected by Shearer Street and Shelton New Road

Option one: Predominantly modern terrace housing with some mews development on canal side and improved green space. Shearer Street and Havelock Place opened up for pedestrians and cyclists. Retention and refurbishment of buildings on Howard Place and new commercial/retail block at canal.

Option two: Higher density development with an increase in apartments and mixed use development. Predominantly three to five stories in height, including landmark building up to 10 stories in height.

Option three: Focus on enterprise with mixed use development and apartments. Canal-side mixed use development. New buildings on Howard Place for mixed use and apartments.

Site five

Site currently occupied by the Elms restaurant, adjacent former College Buildings and Industrial Premises at Snowhill.

Option one: Redevelopment of the Elms site for mixed use apartments and retail. Refurbishment of college building. Highway alteration to link with site four.

Option two: Refurbish and expansion of college building. Redevelopment of existing housing and hotel for housing development. Highway alteration to link with site four.

Option three: New neighbourhood convenience store on site of college building with apartments above. Redevelopment of existing housing, hotel and industrial premises for new mixed-use development and improved route between Havelock Place and Snow Hill.

Site six

Pockets of land between Bedford Road, Rectory Road and Havelock Place.

Option one: Build housing on compulsory purchase order sites. Convert the former clinic on Havelock Place to apartments.

Option two: Build housing on compulsory purchase order sites. Convert the former clinic on Havelock Place to apartments. New centrally located community facility.

Option three: Build housing on compulsory purchase order sites. Convert the former clinic on Havelock Place to apartments. New centrally located community facility. New community workspace.

Site seven

Area on the corner of Rectory Road and Argyle Street.

Option one: Retention of club building. Low density housing development on site of housing designated under compulsory purchase order. Additional cornershop unit.

Option two: Residential conversion or former club building to apartments. High density modern terrace houses. Cornershop unit.

Option three: Residential conversion or former club building to apartments. High density modern terrace houses. Cornershop unit.

Site eight

Open space backing onto Clough Street.

Option one: No change

Option two: BMX track removed. Space for community allotments.

Option three: Community facility and community allotments. BMX track removed. Housing and new road at southern boundary of site.