Project Overview

The background to the location choice and the Partners that are involved in the CoRE Project

Our preferred location

The location for CoRE was determined from a site options analysis which confirmed Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands as the preferred area. The locale has a high proportion of homes classified as non-decent and a higher proportion of older residential buildings. The analysis pointed to a dilapidated Grade II listed building called Enson Works in the Short Street conservation area of Longton. Chosen to help catalyse urban regeneration efforts across the town and wider surrounds, the site is 4000m2 across three buildings and adjacent land. This 1882-old city council owned building is currently vacant and in a severe state of disrepair. It is ideally suited as a "living demonstrator" and to be retrofitted to provide the range of desired functions, within an architecturally impressive and landmark setting.

Our partnership

CoRE is spearheaded by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) - the leading national built environment research body, supported by an increasing base of national, regional and local organisations across both the private and public sector. Complementing the large base of private sector firms are current partnering arrangements with RENEW, WMCCE, Stoke-on- Trent College, Smartlife, PRP, Ceram, Keele University and Staffordshire University to name a few. Other organisations are being approached to engage in the planning and development of CoRE. The sponsoring local authority partner is Stoke-on- Trent City Council. The governance structure, legal entity and delivery vehicle for CoRE will be finalised in the coming months.