Hundreds of people have had their say on Stoke-on-Trent's new planning blueprint.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's public consultation on its draft local plan, which ended last week, received a total of 1,000 online responses from individuals and organisations.

As expected, the vast majority of these – 787 responses – related to housing site allocations.

The local plan includes a number of controversial allocations on Green Belt and greenfield sites, in areas such as Lightwood and Packmoor.

But respondents also commented on policies relating to employment sites, infrastructure, utilities and the economy.

All responses to the consultation will now be submitted to the government along with the final draft version of the local plan.

A planning inspector is due to carry out a public examination of the plan early next year. Anyone who responded to the consultation will have the chance to speak during the examination.

The local plan, once adopted, will guide all development in Stoke-on-Trent up to the year 2040.

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It sets out how the city will meet the government-set housing target of 952 homes a year, which equates to 19,040 homes over the 20-year plan period.

Residents have campaigned against the proposals to earmark 11 Green Belt sites for nearly 8,000 homes, with the Lightwood site alone set to be allocated 3,000 homes.

Council leaders insist they are taking a 'brownfield-first' approach, but say that some greenfield sites are needed in order to meet the city's housing need.

In order to be approved by the inspector, the plan has to be considered legal, policy compliant and 'sound'.