A multi-million pound funding package which will be used to help bring forward a huge development in North Staffordshire is set to be approved next week.
Staffordshire County Council has pledged to invest £3.5 million into infrastructure for the Chatterley Valley West development, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, which could create up to 1,700 new jobs.
The scheme - which lies within the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone - is being developed on a brownfield site just off the A500 and is set to be one of the "biggest business developments" in the north of the county in decades.
Now the county council is working with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the developer to bring the scheme forward.
Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock a major parcel of disused industrial land, close to strategic transport links and provide the opportunity for existing businesses to expand and for new ones to invest in Staffordshire.
"The county council has a proven track record of working in partnership to successfully develop commercial sites which provide jobs and growth in their area such as i54 South Staffordshire and Branston Locks in the east of the county.
"Chatterley Valley West will be a major project in the north and we look forward to working with our council and LEP partners to ensure its successful delivery."
When the site is full built out, the Chatterley Valley West development could release total business rates of more than £2.5 million per annum.
Until March 2041 these business rates will be wholly retained in the local area and can be used to help fund further regeneration.
Simon Tagg, leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: "This is great news for the enhancement of the enterprise zone and for the borough as a whole as it will create hundreds of new jobs and safeguard existing ones in the area.
"The £3.5 million investment from the county council in the Chatterley Valley site, alongside the £3.7 million the borough council secured as part of the Kidsgrove Town Deal, shows that we are serious about growing our places and creating opportunities for our residents and businesses.
Orginial article and image can be read on Business Live