A major city centre development site, a Victorian library building and a former gymnastics centre are among 11 council properties set to be declared 'surplus'.

But Stoke-on-Trent City Council says that the inclusion of Etruscan Square in Hanley on the list does not mean it is about to be sold off.

The council's previous plans for the site – formerly occupied by the old bus station and the East-West Precinct – included an indoor arena, a hotel, a multi-storey car park and around 200 new homes. But Labour councillors scrapped this masterplan after taking over the authority last year, and a revised set of proposals – without the arena or car park – is in the process of being drawn up, with residential schemes set to be the new priority.

And cabinet members are now being asked the declare the whole site 'surplus to current operational requirements', along with 10 other buildings and pieces of land. A report on the future of Etruscan Square, which has been allocated £20 million of Levelling Up cash, is due to be published next month, and the council says that declaring the site surplus at this stage is simply a 'formality'.

According to a council report, the purpose of declaring sites surplus is 'to enable alternative uses to come forward'. The report lists a number of potential options for dealing with surplus sites, including sale on the open market or to a 'special purchaser', community asset transfer, leasing out or redevelopment – potentially by the council itself.

Labour councillors scrapped plans for Etruscan Square after taking over the authority last year (Image supplied).

Disposing of surplus sites could raise much-needed funds for the council, as well as reduce the cost of maintaining and securing property.

The report states: "The city council owns a large number of assets, some 500 buildings across the geography of the city. Property expenditure represents a significant financial cost to the council, which is neither sustainable nor fundable in the future and therefore needs to be reduced. Property rationalisation is a critical element of the city council's drive for efficiency whilst maximising opportunity for our communities and council run services."

These are the eleven sites set to be declared surplus:

Etruscan Square, Hanley

The development site has been included in the report 'as the procurement method had changed from previous decision'.

Fenton Library, Baker Street, Fenton

Built in 1906, the library was closed in 2011 as part of council cuts.

Stoke-on-Trent Gymnastics Centre, Burslem

The 6,415sqm facility was closed by the council last year, with gymnastics classes being moved to Dimensions Leisure Centre.

Liberty House, Marsden Street, Hanley

The building is currently used by the city council's youth offending service, which is due to be moved elsewhere.

Site of Sperling Pub, Norton

The former estate pub in Pound Gardens was demolished years ago and the site is now classed as public open space.

Land between Leek Road and Caldon Canal, Joiners Square

The 7,937sqm site used to be allotments but is currently unused.

Land next to former Edensor High School, Longton

The report says the 470sqm parcel of land will be 'included within the larger Edensor site'.

Land at King Street, Fenton

The 1,113sqm site is currently used for advertisement hording and is 'subject to regular fly-tipping'.

Land at Mossfield Road

A 144,900sqm site at the northern end of Mossfield Road, classed as public open space.

Land at Redhills Road

A 12.3 hectare site described as grazing land.

Car park and adjacent land at Canal Lane, Burslem

The site includes both a car park and public open space.

Any comments about the surplus sites can be sent to [email protected] (Nub News).

Council leader Jane Ashworth said: "We are preparing a report for March cabinet that will establish the next steps for the site."

Jonathan Bellamy, chair of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District, believes the redevelopment of the Etruscan Square site is vital to the whole city centre.

He said: "Our city centre is like a triangle – the Potteries Centre is in one corner, the Cultural Quarter is in another, and Etruscan Square is in the third. That's how significant this piece of dead land is.

"For way way too long 33 per cent of our city centre has remained inactive, redundant and not contributing to helping the economy at the heart of our city be as strong as possible. We really need a breakthrough now to see that change.

"Whether it comes internally from the current administration or externally from private sector partners, we do need someone to step forward at this time who not only has a deliverable and vibrant vision but also has the ability and commitment to deliver it.

"This piece of land is so much more than a challenge. It's a huge opportunity to make a significant and impacting contribution to shaping the hope and the future of our city centre for years to come."

After agreeing to the list of surplus sites at their meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the cabinet will delegate authority to director of strategy and resources Nick Edmonds, in consultation with cabinet member Alastair Watson, to agree 'the detailed terms for the repurposing, transfer or disposal of the sites listed'.

The council is inviting representations from the public and other interested parties, which it says will be taken into account before any final decision is taken for any site. In relation to public open space, the council is legally required to advertise the intended disposal of such sites.

Once representations and objections have been considered, matters will be referred back to cabinet for a further decision. Any comments about the surplus sites can be sent to [email protected].

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