Planning permission has been granted to demolish two derelict buildings that formed part of the old Twyford factory complex on Garner Street in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent. The site, visible from the A500 and within the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, was struck by a significant fire more than ten years ago and has since been a focal point for public safety and environmental remediation efforts.
Long-running environmental and safety concern
The application was made by WS Storage Solutions Limited. The clearance follows years of anxiety about the condition of the buildings, which were said to contain large bales of industrial material and had at times been monitored by the fire service using drones with temperature-sensing equipment.
"It was kind of the perfect storm, if it had gone up," said former MP Jo Gideon, describing the site's risks because of its proximity to the A500, the West Coast Main Line and the River Trent.
Gideon, who represented Stoke-on-Trent Central from 2019 until 2024, characterised the site as one of the most serious environmental challenges she encountered during her time in office. She has previously said the bill to clear parts of the site exceeded £10 million.
Site history and redevelopment context
Production at the Garner Street site ended in 1990 when manufacturing and warehousing were moved to Twyford's Alsager factory, although portions of the building remained in use until 2004. The long dereliction and the aftermath of the fire have meant the site forms part of wider regeneration discussions for the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, where local authorities are investing in infrastructure and brownfield remediation to make land suitable for redevelopment.
- Applicant: WS Storage Solutions Limited
- Location: Old Twyford Buildings, Garner Street, Etruria
- Enterprise zone: Ceramic Valley (along the A500)
- Clearance cost previously cited: more than £10m
Why the demolition matters locally
Clearing the derelict structures is likely to reduce an ongoing public-safety and environmental risk and could unlock land for future development within a strategic transport corridor. The site's visibility from the A500 and its proximity to major rail infrastructure heightened concerns that a large uncontrolled fire could have produced hazardous emissions and posed a threat to nearby infrastructure and communities.
Local residents and businesses will be watching how the demolition and subsequent remediation are managed, particularly around timelines, contractor selection, and measures to control dust, noise and traffic during works. The Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone is intended to attract investment; bringing this site back into productive use would align with that long-term objective.
| Event | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Production moved from Garner Street | 1990 (to Alsager) |
| Parts of building remained in use until | 2004 |
| Major fire | More than 10 years ago |
| Clearance cost cited by former MP | Exceeding £10m |
Planning permission for demolition is a first step; any future redevelopment will require further planning applications, environmental assessments and likely remediation works to make the brownfield site suitable for new uses. Local authority statements, detailed demolition timelines and the contractor's plans for remediation have not been detailed in the materials released with the permission.
For residents seeking updates, watch for announcements from the council and the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone team concerning traffic management, environmental protection measures and the timetable for demolition and site clearance.
