A multi-million pound regeneration project has transformed a Stoke-on-Trent estate, bringing new homes, shops and community facilities to the heart of Blurton.

Residents are now set to celebrate the redevelopment of Ingestre Square, as the £7.1m scheme is officially launched on Tuesday 8 March. 

The regeneration work is a collaboration between Aspire Housing, The Homes and Communities Agency and Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the scheme includes:

• 41 mixed tenure affordable homes - 22 two-bedroom apartments for social rent, four three-bedroom houses for social rent, two four-bedroom houses for social rent, seven three-bedroom houses for shared ownership, and six four-bedroom houses for shared ownership.

• A community hub which will deliver social and learning activities for local people and offer corporate space for hire.

• Six new retail units.

• Car parking, landscaping, secure yards and signage.

Residents, councillors and representatives from organisations across Staffordshire will be on hand to celebrate the high-profile scheme's completion during a gala opening ceremony.

Sinéad Butters, Aspire Group chief executive, said: "Aspire is delighted to have led the redevelopment of Ingestre Square, which is a great success story for the community. 

"The collaboration throughout with local residents, the community and the city council has been a real success and the result is a fantastic community facility for Blurton.

"Our overall aim is to help revitalise this community and this redevelopment certainly provides both a renewed central area for Blurton, as well as essential affordable housing."

Councillor Brian Ward, cabinet member for housing, planning and transformation and a Blurton Ward Councillor, said: "The council has invested £4m in Ingestre Square, to ensure that residents can benefit from the best possible facilities. This investment is improving shops, parking and the environment, as well as providing facilities for Blurton's 11,000 residents such as a library; jobs, enterprise and training facilities; and college in the community services.

"I'm thrilled that this work is now coming into fruition, it is much needed and will help to raise the quality of life for local residents."

The Homes and Communities Agency contributed more than £1m to the project and Mark Vaughan, investment and regeneration manager for the Midlands team said: "We are really pleased that Homes and Communities Agency investment has enabled Aspire and the council to forge ahead with the regeneration of the area, creating high quality affordable homes for the people of Blurton Farm.

"We are confident that residents will be pleased with the homes when they are launched at the gala event on Tuesday."

The new community hub will be run by a management committee responsible for governance, finance, legal and administrative issues regarding the facility, and will give local people the chance to develop their skills and promote the venue to businesses.

Derek Ecclestone, chairman of the Blurton Farm Residents Association, said: "It's an exciting time for the people of Blurton and the area looks tremendous.

"Not only does this bring business premises but it also boosts the social side, which we've lacked in Blurton for some time. Hopefully residents will use the area to get together and enjoy themselves."