Described as 'the most important project since the 1980's' for Hanley – the Etruscan Square project which received planning permission in April this year, has been binned, Council Leader Jane Ashworth announced on Thursday.

The project would have delivered a new multi-storey car park, a 3750 seat arena, a 138 room hotel and a host of residential properties. 

In its place there will be more houses, to increase footfall in the city centre and a new versatile space for entertainment, replacing the arena. The changes are part of a new approach to ensure council tax payers, businesses rate payers get the best possible outcomes and value for money, according the Council Leader.

Announcing the changes, Council Leader Jane Ashworth said: "We now need a change of focus to provide much more residential accommodation in place of the car park. That will be the first phase of the site's redevelopment.

"We have rejected plans to build another car park in the city centre, we don't think it's needed at this moment. The agreed plan, which we have now binned, would have probably spent £19 million on yet another car park, we're not going to do that.

"It's a similar matter with the suggestions or promise that there should be an arena in the city centre, I know nobody who wouldn't like to be able to see big events on their doorstep."

The cost of building the arena would have cost £50 million and the council has not found a way to make the figures stack-up and is "unrealistic". The ditching of the new car park and arena has the potential to save £69 million, which is needed given the current state of the council's financial situation.

The council is working with the shopping centre and the Business Improvement District to create a case of why people would want to live in or visit Hanley. Residential development will be the first priority in the new plans for the site, however there has been no timeline as to when that is to be expected.

Councillor Ashworth continued: "What we will do instead is create a versatile space that can be used for sports, leisure, for other entertainment and that will be planned around the needs of people in the local community. We will bring forward the residential part of development on the Etruscian Square site in the first phase."

"The former city centre bus station/Etruscan Square site has been vacant, abandoned and derelict for years on years. The plans being put forward now are responsible, realistic, based on local needs, especially new and good quality housing, and above all are deliverable and will be delivered."

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