Council leaders have backed a masterplan that could see hundreds of homes built on greenfield land in Stoke-on-Trent.

The masterplan for Packmoor sets out five options for council-owned farmland outside the village, four of which include building at least 760 houses – a fifth option would see the land left as it is.

Leaders at Stoke-on-Trent City Council insist their aim is to create a 'vibrant' and 'sustainable' community that improves the local infrastructure while providing much-needed new homes.

But a previous consultation found that most residents in Packmoor and surrounding areas are opposed to any development on the land.

Cabinet members voted to approve the draft masterplan for a further round of consultation at their meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for regeneration, told the meeting that the council had listened to the people of Packmoor while drawing up the document.

And he said he is personally opposed to the option with the maximum amount of residential development, that could result in 1,224 homes being built on the land.

Cllr Gordon-McCusker said: "This report is the culmination of a lot of effort and work that gone on over the last 18 months. That work has been done to make sure that the masterplan reflects as best as it possibly can the views and priorities of the people of Packmoor.

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"The whole reason why we have a masterplan is because places like Packmoor have developed in a very piecemeal way over the years. It wasn't properly planned and as a result there's real pressure on the infrastructure, whether that's the highway network, the health services or anything else.

"I know there are people in Packmoor, as there are people right across the city, who don't want houses to be built in their local vicinity. I understand that. There are several options here, ranging from doing nothing right up to building more than 1,000 houses.

"Personally I don't think the maximum number of houses would be right for a place like Packmoor, but that will be considered in the future."

Each of the four options for residential development would see varying amounts of land allocated for housing. They would all include a new spine road linking Turnhurst Road and Outclough Road.

The masterplan also states that Packmoor would not be merged with any neighbouring communities, and that access to green spaces would be improved.

Cllr Gordon-McCusker added: "One of the things we heard is that people in Packmoor really value their green space, and want it to be, not just protected, but actually enhanced. That is in this masterplan.

"I'm pleased to say that all of the options will ensure that more than half of the land that's currently green space will remain as such. So it isn't about concreting over communities, it's about expanding existing communities in a way that works for that area."

It is not yet known when the masterplan consultation will take place. The land at Packmoor has been earmarked for up to 800 homes in the city council's draft local plan.

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