Issues and SWOT: Newcastle-under-Lyme

strength

Kidsgrove has restored community-run sports provision

The sports centre has been operating since its refurbishment.

Proposed response: Keep prices, accessible sessions and opening times clear.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £833 a month (August 2026) in Newcastle-under-Lyme council area. This is £626 lower than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 8.2% in Newchapel & Mow Cop to 37.1% in Town — a gap of 28.9 percentage points.

Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.

weakness

Station ground conditions have complicated the plan

Investigation and remediation costs led to alternative options for Kidsgrove station.

Proposed response: Explain the revised scope and which access improvements remain.

Evidence

weakness

Bring support closer to people in poor health

6.3% of people reported bad or very bad health in Newcastle-under-Lyme council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.3% in Keele to 8.7% in Cross Heath — a gap of 6.3 percentage points.

This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.

opportunity

Astley Place could add homes and new town-centre activity

Work is underway on the former York Place centre.

Proposed response: Publish the expected mix of homes and premises.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

21.7% of people in Newcastle-under-Lyme council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 6.6% in Keele to 30.6% in Loggerheads — a gap of 24 percentage points.

Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.

opportunity

Connect local skills to local opportunities

28% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Newcastle-under-Lyme council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 3.1% in Keele to 29.4% in Knutton — a gap of 26.3 percentage points.

Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Newcastle-under-Lyme council area.

Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.

opportunity

Turn published plans into visible progress

3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.

A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.

opportunity

Target support where disadvantages overlap

Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 9.6% in Maer & Whitmore to 28.5% in Cross Heath — a gap of 18.9 percentage points.

These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.

threat

The station target depends on resolving delivery problems

The published timeline follows a redesign response to escalating ground-work costs.

Proposed response: Maintain a clear list of remaining risks and decisions.

Evidence