Plans for major office scheme backed

The green light has been given to create a further 62,000 sq ft of office space at a major Stoke-on-Trent development.Genr8 Developments, the developer behind Hanley’s Smithfield scheme, submitted plans for the next phase of the £200m development in April this year.Approval for the next phase comes as phase two nears completion delivering a 140-bed Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, and Clayworks – an 11-storey build-to-rent apartment block.The new office accommodation will add to the existing grade A space at 1 and 2 Smithfield totalling 210,000 sq ft and has potential to deliver 501 full-time equivalent jobs.The buildings currently house occupiers including business water supplier Waterplus and professional services and technology firm Davies Group.Outline planning permission for 3 Smithfield and a further 86,000 sq ft commercial building was granted in 2017.It is anticipated that construction of 3 Smithfield will begin early in 2021, with completion anticipated for 2022.Genr8 is delivering the Smithfield scheme in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council.