Government to set up flagship office in Stoke

A flagship Government office which aims to redevelop towns and cities across the UK is set to open in Stoke-on-Trent.

Housing cabinet minister Michael Gove announced that civil servants and ministers will base themselves there as they design development plans for bespoke housing in 20 UK towns and cities.

Cllr Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We are delighted that the Office for Place is going to be based in Stoke-on-Trent. We are a city with an extraordinary built heritage and an exciting future. We will only benefit from having the office based in the city and will give them every support as they pursue excellence in urban design and place-making that engenders local pride and connectedness.”

Nicholas Boys Smith, the newly appointed The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) chair, said: “This week is an important milestone in our journey to create and steward more beautiful and more popular, greener and more sustainable places. The Office for Place is moving from being a small team within DLUHC to a formal and legally constituted arm’s length body. And we can announce that we will be based in the marvellous city of Stoke-on-Trent. I am also personally delighted to have been asked to become interim chair of the new organisation.

“We are excited about the prospect of supporting our new hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, and in doing so helping local councils and communities across the country create beautiful, successful and enduring places that re-engender a sense of community, local pride and belonging.”

Further details on operational arrangements will be announced in due course.