Residents are calling for a rethink on plans to build more than 18,000 across Stoke-on-Trent over the next 15 years.

Residents were gathered at Baddeley Green WMC to hear more about the plans and leave feedback. 

Stoke-on-Trent City Council are currently consulting on the draft local plan which will see the development of 18,528 homes across the city. However 5,000 of these are allocated to sites in the Baddeley, Milton and Norton ward.

Under the current plans large areas of the greenbelt could be built on including greenfield land next to the Doulton estate in Baddeley Green, which has been subject to a planning application for 138 homes since 2022. But some residents are concerned that the plans will 'destroy' the identity of the city.

President of the club, Tony Whittingham said: "Stoke-on-Trent is promoted that if you come out of a town centre within 10 minutes you are in the countryside, that's what Stoke-on-Trent has always been known for. What they are planning here will totally destroy that.

"You might as well take green out, you've got Baddeley Green, Norton Green and Ball Green, you might as well take it out and call it brown because that's what you're doing turning them into houses."

Resident Patricia Fallows commented: "We all know the ones there are pencilled and are not necessarily going to be built on but I think it's a bit gobsmacking just how much it's going to affect this area. I just look at it as Stoke-on-Trent as a whole is like a tree that's gone rotten at its core.

"Every single one of the six towns has gone, six areas of that tree are dying off and they are coming out beyond that and spoiling that instead. Around here there is one bus an hour, so people will use a car instead."

A number of residents said a number of issues already exist in the villages which need addressing before houses are constructed. The big issue for residents include flooding, which residents claim could be made worse under current plans.

Michael Fox added: "What I don't think people understand is how bad this area gets with flooding. Before they do anything they need to sort that out because I can imagine with a few thousand more houses in the area it will only get worse.

"That's before you start with the road, doctors and other infrastructure that is needed around there. It will change the area for the worst. I think they should rethink some of these plans "

The consultation on the draft local plan is due to run from September 8 to October 20.