Plans to build 200 houses on the site of the former North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary site have been agreed in principle.

The outline planning application for the housing estate includes a children's play area, open woodland space, and the retention of heritage buildings.

The site which is owned by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust was granted permission in 2014, however due to the site being used as a car park planning permission on the site had expired. Now that the new multi-storey car park has been completed the site is once again vacant. 

Speaking in favour of development, planning agent Michael Burrows said: "Outline planning permission was granted in 2014 for the demolition of the hospital buildings and redevelopment for a scheme focusing on the delivery of new homes. The majority of the infirmary buildings were subsequently demolished.

"However there remained a temporary need for the site to be used by the trust for car parking and a new multistorey car park was constructed at the Royal Stoke Hospital. This new multi-storey car park was finished and became operational in May 2024.

"All NHS trusts have a duty to sell any land not being used for the delivery of clinical care and which is surplus to requirements to support the national commitment to build much needed additional homes."

It is planned that any profits made from the sale of the development will be reinvested back into the trusts estate. As the current application is an outline, a more detailed application will be submitted at a later date which will contain more detailed information on the matters reserved including design of the homes and landscaping.

The development will bring a mixture of two, three and four-bed homes as well as flats. The proposed mix of housing proposed is 35 per cent worth of three-bed houses, 28 per cent four-bed, 22 per cent two-bed and 15 per cent one and two-bed flats.

The majority of the site has already been cleared, however, three buildings remain on the site. These include the former headquarters, an office block and Windsor House, the former gatehouse. 

The former headquarters and Windsor House are non-designated heritage assets and will be retained and converted to residential use to create a 'focal point' as part of the development. The office block is set to be demolished.

Councillors on the planning committee at Stoke-on-Trent City Council approved permission for the site to be used for development. Councillor Ross Irving commented: "I don't think I've heard anyone particularly object to the principle of development of this site.

"We have known for a long time that this was the intention and I think most of us have agreed and supported that. The interesting part is when the nitty-gritty comes back to see how it's going to be phased and developed."

Councillor Laura Carter said: "I think when we get more detail a good development in that area would be a good addition."