The choices made today will shape Stoke-on-Trent for the next two decades, and if businesses don’t speak up, they risk being left out of the city’s future.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is currently consulting on its Draft Local Plan 2020–2040.
This is a strategic blueprint which will help to shape the city’s development over the next decade and a half. For businesses operating in or around Stoke-on-Trent, this is not just a planning document—it’s a roadmap that will influence where and how they grow, invest, and thrive. It’s why it’s so important for business to engage with the consultation, which closes on Monday 20th October 2025.
The Local Plan will Influence the future business landscape, as it outlines proposals for land use, including 84 hectares of employment land and the development of 18,528 new homes. These decisions will directly affect where businesses can locate, expand, and recruit talent. By responding to the consultation, businesses can call for infrastructure and development policies that support their operational needs and long-term growth in the city.
Transport, digital connectivity, and utilities are critical to business success. The Local Plan includes policies on transport and environmental sustainability and if your business relies on efficient logistics, commuter access, or green energy, now is the time to ensure those priorities are reflected in the city’s planning strategy. Your feedback can help shape investment in roads, public transport, and broadband that supports business.
Stoke-on-Trent has a proud industrial heritage. The Local Plan includes policies on heritage and the environment. Businesses in tourism, hospitality, and creative industries have a stake in how these elements are preserved for the future. By responding to the consultation, you can help to ensure that development enhances the city’s cultural identity.
The government has set an ambitious target to build 1.5million new homes across the country, by the middle of 2029. The Local Plan will influence housing availability, a key factor in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. Businesses should advocate for housing that meets the needs of their employees, including proximity to workplaces, transport links, and amenities.
The Local Plan is more than buildings. It’s about creating a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable city. Businesses have a role to play in shaping policies that address climate change, economic inequality, and urban regeneration. Your input can help ensure that Stoke-on-Trent evolves in a way that benefits all stakeholders.
The Stoke-on-Trent Local Plan 2020-2040 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of the city. Businesses that engage now will be better positioned to influence outcomes, mitigate risks, and seize opportunities. Whether you’re a small enterprise or a major employer, your voice matters. You can view the consultation through the link:
Draft Local Plan – Regulation 18
You can send your Local Plan consultation feedback by e-mail or post:
(E): localplan@stoke.gov.uk
in writing to:
Planning Policy Team,
Stoke-on-Trent City Council,
Civic Centre,
Glebe Street,
Stoke-on-Trent,
ST4 1HH
The consultation closes on Monday 20th October 2025.
