'Foul play' ruled out after human remains found at former Midway car park
Construction work will resume as soon as possible
Foul play has been ruled out after human remains were discovered at a former car park and construction site in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Officers were called out to the Midway, which used to be the Midway multi-storey car park, on 27 May after skeletal remains were found during construction work.
A cordon was put in place while investigation work was carried out.
Remains are "of sufficient age"
The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Coroner's Service has now found there to be no suspicious circumstances, as the remains are "of sufficient age".
Work had been paused since the discovery, but the site has now been handed back to contractors.
The former car park is being converted into 110 homes.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have confirmed that construction work will resume as soon as possible.
"Planning and co-ordination" behind the scenes
Council Leader Jonathan Gullis said: "The police have completed their initial work and have released the site back to the contractor, and the matter is no longer being treated as a crime scene. The coroner has also confirmed that the remains are of sufficient age that there is no indication of suspicious circumstances.
"Work on the wider site has continued where possible, with planning and co-ordination taking place behind the scenes to ensure the project can move forward safely, respectfully, and as quickly as circumstances allow."