Time is running out for residents to have their say on future development plans for Stoke-on-Trent – and concerns have been raised about how proposals have been communicated to the wider public.

The consultation on the draft Local Plan, which sets out potential locations for future housing and employment space in the years up to 2040, closes on Monday, October 20.

The plan aims for more than 18,000 new homes to be built in the city over a 20-year-period to meet targets set by the Government. But concerns have been raised by several communities about the level of housing proposed in their areas, particularly on sites previously classed as Green Belt land.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has hosted a series of drop-in events for residents across the area since the consultation opened on September 8, with the last session being held at Packmoor Ormiston Academy on Tuesday (October 14). By October 1 the authority had received around 200 written representations in response to the consultation, members of the council's Housing, Regeneration and Operations Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard at their latest meeting.

Members were given an update on the progress of the Local Plan. Principal Planning Policy Officer Tom Lewis told the meeting that following the draft plan consultation, the publication stage was expected to take place around April 2026.

"We will have to go through the comments to make changes where necessary", he said. "It will go out to the public to give them another chance to comment at that stage.

"Submission of the plan (for examination) is due in November 2026 – no doubt we will have modifications as part of that. Once the examiner is happy and it has come back we can then adopt the plan at full council."

But committee member Councillor Laura Carter said: "I'm disappointed with the communications that have gone out on this. I don't think we have done the communications well enough for the residents in the city.

"I would like to see going forward some explanatory video. You have explained everything today in a way I understand, who doesn't have a planning background.

"Could we have some more stuff going forward, like animations of areas where we can or can't build on sites? I think people would like to see a video you having a conversation.

"What's happening is we have enabled certain community groups to monopolise on that situation. It could cause certain people not to interact with the consultation as well as they could do."

Councillor Diane Williams said: "We have to remember the reading age of the city is nine years old on average."

Councillor Chris Robinson, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning, Improvement and Governance, said: "We take on board what Councillor Carter has said. We will start simplifying the messages and I think me and Tony (McGovern, Director for Investment Delivery and Growth) can rustle up a video."

Committee vice chair Councillor Lauren Davison said: "I would encourage comms to add a clarification on green belt and grey belt. I think there are lots of people that don't understand the difference."