Councillors say an engineering firm's plans to expand and create up to 20 skilled jobs is 'really positive' for Stoke-on-Trent.

Planning committee members at Stoke-on-Trent City Council unanimously approved Goodwin's application for a new industrial unit at its site in Hanley.

They welcomed the continued success and expansion of a company that was founded on the site 143 years ago. Goodwin says the development will help safeguard around 700 existing jobs at the company while creating 15 to 20 new positions, including apprenticeships.

The part-retrospective application includes the retention of two temporary buildings for up to 10 years and a new internal road linking Melville Street with the existing Ivy House foundry site.

Former public open space off Botteslow Street, which was sold to Goodwin by the council, has already been turned into parking for 197 vehicles.

Goodwin has agreed to contribute £40,000 towards the upkeep of other parcels of open space in the area.

Joe Hancock, group project engineer at the company, told the planning committee that Goodwin had worked with the council over the last 18 months to develop the proposals, reducing the impact on nearby residents and surrounding roads.

He said: "The foundry site in Hanley is where Goodwin began 143 years ago. It is encouraging to see continued investment in this historic location by our board of directors.

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"This commitment reflects both confidence in the future of our business, and our long-term dedication to the area. Importantly, this investment helps secure employment for the 700 people currently working within the group's mechanical engineering division.

"In addition, the proposed development will create 15 to 20 new high-skilled roles. Recruitment for these positions has already begun through our in-house apprenticeship programme."

Committee members believe Goodwin's expansion is good news for Stoke-on-Trent's economy.

Councillor Ross Irving said: "I think this is a scheme that we would all welcome. To see a company such as Goodwin expanding, gives us confidence in the industrial base of the city during these difficult times. I'm fully supportive of the development."

Committee chair Andy Platt added: "This is really positive. It's not often we see proper industrial applications before us, and I think that's really important. It shows there are industries in this city that are expanding."

The development is expected to generate an additional 27 two-way trips through the Botteslow Street/Leek road junction each morning, and 23 during the afternoon peak period.

In response to concerns raised by councillors, highways officers said they would monitor the traffic impact once the development is complete. They also said they anticipated a 'secondary application' which would cover the surrounding road network.

Councillor Dave Evans, while welcoming the application, believes there are wider issues with highways in the area.

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He said: "The entire road network around Lime Kiln Bank, Botteslow Street and Leek Road is terrible. That's something for the council to take on board irrespective of this application."

The application received one objection from a member of the public, who raised concerns over the loss of open space. Planning officers said that the £40,000 contribution would be 'appropriate mitigation' for this.