Architects support landowners as councils seek new brownfield sites for Local Plans
Stoke-on-Trent City Council this week urged people to continue putting forward potential brownfield sites for development
A Stoke-on-Trent architecture firm is advising landowners and developers across Staffordshire as authorities call for brownfield sites to support future development.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which recently closed its formal consultation on its draft Local Plan, this week urged people to continue putting forward potential brownfield land that could help meet long-term housing and development needs in the city.
A Local Plan sets out how an area will grow over the next 15 to 20 years, including where homes, businesses and infrastructure should be located and how green spaces and heritage sites are protected. Councils gather input through public roadshows, planning forums and neighbourhood or master plans, giving communities a say in shaping their area.
With several councils now at key stages in the Local Plan process, Hanley-based Inc Architects is helping new and existing clients understand whether their land could be suitable and when to put it forward.
Inc offers advisory services ranging from initial site reviews through to preparing and submitting formal proposals, helping clients decide whether their site’s intended use – such as housing or industrial – is the most suitable.
Directors Kim Mountford and David Byatt also keep clients informed by attending planning forums and council roadshows, acting as a bridge to planning officers.
David said: “Planning can feel complicated, and timing is crucial. If you have a site that could be viable, putting it forward at the right time can make all the difference. We help clients understand the bigger picture, weigh the pros and cons and make decisions that are in their best interests by being proactive, not reactive.”
Newcastle Borough Council’s final draft now being reviewed by Government ahead of expected adoption in early 2026, while Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is currently calling for sites. Stafford Borough Council is at the early stage of its plan, with a call for sites due soon.
Kim added: “It’s not always easy to find information about the Local Plan process. Local authorities do not automatically allocate land for development – sites need to be nominated by the owner or the public, with the landowner’s permission. You have to be ‘in it to win it’. We’re well-positioned to help clients make informed decisions and find solutions to any challenges that arise.”