Plans have been submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council to convert a former Victorian School near Hanley into living space for survivors of domestic abuse.

The former St Luke's Infants' School building, which dates back to the 1890s and is Grade II Listed, is currently vacant and was most recently used for pottery manufacture.

Plans have now been put forward to convert the Wellington Road site into up to 28 self-contained units which would offer temporary accommodation to vulnerable adults. Listed Building Consent is also being sought for restoration, repair and alteration works including new windows, internal structural alterations and a first floor extension.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: "The building is in a poor state of repair following many years of neglect and vacancy. It is no longer fit for purpose as an institution or otherwise, therefore significant repair and investment would be required to bring the site back into functional use.

"Recent and extensive residential development has taken place in the area surrounding the site and can be categorised as a generally residential suburb. The applicant has therefore identified the site as a suitable location for another small scale residential institution,such as support living for those subjected to domestic abuse.

"The intention shall be that survivors reside in the self-contained studio or flat accommodations and share some communal spaces to promote a small community. Their tenure shall be short-medium term, up to two years.

"The conversion of the application site from light industrial to residential is more in keeping with the local area. Goods traffic would be reduced and large vehicle movements vastly diminished or made redundant entirely."