why is this house 'only' 225k?

[spacepyramid]

www.onthemarket.com/details/7679659/

Am I missing something that's awful about the area?

If this were in any other city within commuting distance of decent jobs, it would have sold within days :)

It's a lovely house - I like it a lot but the price is wrong for the location.

Butt Lane isn't all bad, but as others have said it's a high price for an end terrace.
You'll get more house for your money in the Stoke area, as soon as you start in a Cheshire postcode the costs spiral. There are nice areas bordering Stoke to look at. Stone is lovely, parts of Newcastle, Trentham, Forsbrook etc
If you want new build this is being built in Blythe Bridge:

www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk/our-developments/blythe-fields/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAq97uBRCwARIsADTziyYitHwNlSHYqGQbzqYDKUymVtracLhtJZCpdDm8fPCuU5IrOHNUTYQaAr-4EALw_wcB

It's right on the A50 for transport links, about a 7 minute drive to Uttoxeter and a pretty quiet area really.