Work is set to resume on Newcastle Under Lyme's ambitious Midway car park regeneration project after police and the coroner cleared the site to move forward. The groundbreaking scheme will transform the former multi-storey car park into 110 new homes. Excavation work had ground to a halt last week when human remains were discovered, but authorities have now confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances.
The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Coroner's Service confirmed the remains are of significant age with no suspicious circumstances involved. Staffordshire Police has returned the site to contractor Capital&Centric and it is no longer being treated as a crime scene. Council Leader Jonathan Gullis emphasised that the remains have been handled with dignity and respect throughout the process.
The pioneering UK-first project by Capital&Centric represents one of three major multi-million-pound regeneration schemes underway in Newcastle Under Lyme town centre. The development forms part of the council's broader strategy to breathe fresh life into the heart of the town and create new opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors.
The restart of work on the Midway car park project marks a significant step forward for Newcastle Under Lyme's town centre regeneration efforts. As one of the largest developments currently underway locally, the scheme is expected to deliver meaningful change to the area and support the wider economic revitalisation of the town.