A £1.8 million scheme to revamp town centre parking and public realm is set to be approved.

The works in King Street, Kidsgrove will be part of a raft of improvements being funded out of the Town Deal allocation.

Under Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's plans, the existing 25-space car park in King Street will be expanded to accommodate up to 48 vehicles, while the smaller parking area in front of the shops on the other side of the street will be reconfigured.

The existing taxi rank will be removed with the adjacent island being expanded, and there will be replacement bus shelters and streetlighting together with a new pedestrian crossing.

While the works are carried out, a temporary car park will be provided on the site of the former Browns garage, which will be demolished as part of the scheme. Planning officers at the borough council have recommended the proposals for approval, saying they comply with local and national planning policies.

In their report, the officers note that the scheme would result in the loss of nine trees, with new tree and shrub planting to be carried out elsewhere on the site. They say that while the loss of trees is 'not ideal', the provision of new landscaping 'will serve to soften the appearance of the site' compared to its current state.

Planning committee members will consider the application when they meet on November 4.

Earlier this month, cabinet members agreed to launch a consultation on plans to sell off two car parks in Heathcote Street, Kidsgrove. The council says these will no longer be needed once the Town Deal works are carried out.