A proposal for a new housing estate in North Staffordshire with up to 96 homes has been submitted to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Bloor Homes wants to build the estate on current Green Belt land off Bullocks House Road in Harriseahead, with 17 homes planned to be available to rent as social housing and a further 12 as shared ownership.

The other 67 homes will be made available to buy and the developer says the estate will include starter homes "suitable for first-time buyers". The proposals also include upgrades to an adjoining play area at the council-owned Newchapel Park.

The housing units proposed to be available on the open market would consist of a mix of two, three and four bedrooms while the units available for social rent would be a mix of one, two, three, and four bedrooms. This would also include "ground-floor apartments suitable for the elderly".

While the site currently sits on greenbelt land, the site is allocated for homes in Newcastle-under-Lyme's final draft Local Plan, which has been submitted to the Secretary of State for inspection by an independent planning inspector.

The proposals would see up to 96 homes built on current agricultural land in Harriseahead. (Google)

The adoption of the Local Plan is expected towards the end of 2025 or early 2026 and it will guide development in Newcastle borough until 2040.

The 33 resident responses to a pre-application survey found the majority objected to the need for further development in the area but some people expressed support.

The planning statement submitted as part of the application says: "This planning application has been submitted by Knights on behalf of Bloor Homes, which seeks full planning permission for the erection of 96 dwellings, associated on-site infrastructure and open space, including the formation of an access onto Bullocks House Road. 

"The proposal comprises of 67 open market dwellings (including small starter homes suitable for first time buyers), 29 affordable homes which would be transferred to a local Registered Social Landlord which would be made available for affordable rent (17 dwellings) and shared ownership (12 dwellings) to help address the needs of the 2,433 households that are currently on the Council's affordable housing waiting list.

"Access via a priority T-junction off Bullocks House Road.

"On-site landscaping, tree planting and sustainable drainage system measures with pedestrian linkages to the adjoining council-owned open space and improvements to the adjoining council-owned equipped area of play."

See the full application here.