This article is based on reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a BBC funded initiative set up to strengthen reporting on local democratic issues. The Staffordshire Signal has taken part in the scheme since September 2026, which means we're able to draw on a selection of LDRS stories alongside our own.
What’s new: Stoke-on-Trent City Council has terminated its agreements with Tunstall Library Developments Ltd after plans to convert the historic buildings into flats and leisure facilities collapsed.
By the numbers: The scheme was allocated £3.5 million in Levelling Up funding. Of this, £1.6 million has been redirected to properties in Burslem, with £1.9 million allocated to other costs.
What’s next: The council has agreed to purchase the neighbouring car park to protect future redevelopment opportunities, although no replacement scheme has been announced.
A council has formally ended its agreement with a developer following the collapse of plans to regenerate historic buildings.
Tunstall Library Developments Ltd proposed to bring Tunstall Library and Baths back into use as 39 flats along with a restaurant, gym and other facilities.
But planning committee members at Stoke-on-Trent City Council refused the company’s planning application earlier this year due to concerns over residential amenity and heritage harm, leaving the future of the scheme in doubt.
Council bosses have now agreed to terminate the sale contract and funding agreement with Tunstall Library Developments, as well as pay its ‘final claim’, bringing the plans to an end.
The council has also agreed to purchase the car park next to the buildings from parent company Tunstall Library UK Ltd.
According to the council decision notice, not purchasing the car park could result in a ‘ransom strip’, blocking future plans for the site.
The Tunstall Library and Baths project was allocated £3.5 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2021.
Following the refusal of the planning application in July, the council announced it would be diverting £1.6 million of Levelling Up money to the refurbishment of 10 properties in Burslem.
The remaining £1.9 million has gone towards the construction of a substation in Greengate Street, the purchase of the car park and outstanding project claims.
The decision notice says that as Tunstall Library Developments is ‘unlikely’ to get planning permission, the funding agreement had to be terminated in order to avoid having to hand the money back to government. All Levelling Up funding has to be spent by March 2028.
Tunstall Library Developments and the council have been approached for comment.
Written by Phil Corrigan, Local Democracy Reporter.
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