North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership (NSRP) has submitted its first outline planning application for a mixed-use development as part of its £1.5bn regeneration of the region.

The application, submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council, is for The East-West Precinct – a £285m retail-led development in the city centre to complement the existing Hanley shopping centre. The 112,000sq m scheme will include a cinema complex, new landscaped public spaces and improvements to the buildings and streets as well as a new bus station. The plan is part of the NSRP's recently published business plan, entitled Transformation, which outlines plans for 2008-11 with the view to improve the region's economic prosperity by 2030.

The plans also includes a £230m commercial-led development in the city centre called the Business Quarter. The 2.65-hectare project could provide offices and 100,000sq m of leisure, retail and city living space. There are also projects focused on improving public spaces in the city, creating new residential developments and the proposed reuse of landmark buildings to create a cultural hub for the creative industries. A review of the North Staffordshire Tourism Strategy is also being undertaken, including a review of the role of e-commerce and the internet. NSPR's role in the Staffordshire Destination Management Partnership, which is in charge of branding the region to encourage visitors, will also be reviewed.

According to the plan, feasibility work will be undertaken to "significantly revitalise the leisure and cultural offer within the city centre for North Staffordshire." And the NSRP plans to explore the scope for introducing different hotel offers within the city. Other regeneration projects include improvements to Keele University and Staffordshire University, to housing, to employment opportunities and to surrounding communities, with the creation of regeneration companies in Burslem, Longton, Tunstall and Stoke.

Mark Meredith, chair of NSRP, said: "For the first time, the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership brings together the major partners and stakeholders in regeneration across public, private and voluntary sectors. Our strategy to revitalise North Staffordshire is focused on boosting investment, creating jobs and repositioning our area. "Our vision and priorities will, when implemented, drive through the economic up-lift that the area so badly needs.

"One of the emerging strengths of this partnership is the recognition by the political leaders of North Staffordshire that, on regeneration issues, we are stronger and more consistent when speaking as one. This gives me great hope that this is not just another grand plan, but a realistic and deliverable strategy for change." Partners in the project include Advantage West Midlands, British Waterways, English Heritage, English Partnerships, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Government Office for the West Midlands, the European Union, the Chamber of Commerce, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire Moorland District Council, and Staffordshire County Council.