Plans have come forward to convert a derelict former school building in Stoke-on-Trent into apartments and a community café. 

Proposals for the grade-II listed former St Luke's School on Wellington Road, in Hanley, include 14 apartments, a shared space in the former school hall and a community café with 17 parking spaces.

It's envisaged that the building, built in 1893, would be managed by a community interest company (CIC) with aims of emulating the success of The Café Fenton, based within Fenton Town Hall. 

The current Hanley St Luke's CofE Academy is located next to the derelict building where the 'community hub' is proposed.

A statement submitted as part of the application states: "Our clients [Britannia Properties, Estates & Investments Ltd] have a vision to convert this former school into 14 no. self-contained apartments with a shared amenity area within the central atrium space (the former school hall) which will be laid out with seating, tables and landscaping. 

"In addition, there will be a Community Café provided within the lower ground floor area with a new customer access provided onto Wellington Road. 

"The site will be secured with appropriate gates which will serve the 14 no. parking spaces for the apartment residents, plus a space for the Building Manager, the Café Manager & an additional disabled visitor space. 

"This one-way system will also provide a space for delivery vehicles to both the Café and the apartments. 

"The assessment of this building, a visit to a similar Community Café in Fenton and the evolution of the designs for project have been ongoing for a number of months."

Inside the former St Luke's school hall. (Planning application)

The school closed in 2001 and was subsequently sold in 2005, becoming the home of Peggy Davies Ceramics in association with Kevin Francis Ltd. who made figural pottery there until 2010. 

The building has remained empty since then and was put up for sale in 2015 and again in 2022, at auction. 

The application adds: "It is imperative if this Listed building is to be saved, that positive engagement with the Council and other Stakeholders is undertaken as soon as possible. 

"To this end we secured the measured plans of the building which has enabled us to prepare a draft scheme. 

"This not only formed the basis for discussion with the Council via the Pre-App enquiry process, but also provided an illustration of our vision to be presented to the local community at a Public Consultation event in January 2025."

The plans are yet to be decided by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

You can read the full application here.