Plans have been submitted to Newcastle Borough Council for a massive new housing estate on farmland next to Newcastle Golf Club.

Richborough is seeking outline permission for up to 620 new homes on the site north west of Whitmore Road.

The application also includes proposals for a country park, public open space including play area and allotments and the formation of the first phase of a new link road between the A53 and A525. The new homes would include 30% affordable housing provision.

The site has been earmarked for hundreds of new homes in Newcastle Borough Council's draft local plan.

A statement submitted as part of the planning application said: "The borough has faced a significant housing land supply shortfall in recent years and has not allocated new housing sites through an up-to-date local plan for over 20 years.

"The Local Plan Inspector has confirmed that exceptional circumstances exist to release land from the Green Belt to meet housing and employment land needs, and the site will be removed from the Green Belt upon adoption of the plan – expected Spring 2026. The proposal would therefore comply with up to date council policy.

"Richborough are committed to delivering affordable homes for local people on all of their development sites, and the delivery of up to 186 affordable homes will make a substantial contribution to existing affordable housing needs which are significant, with 2433 households on the council's affordable housing waiting list.

"The proposal seeks to deliver a broad mix of open market and affordable housing on the site; the provision of 620 dwellings is based on providing one, two, three, four and five bed properties."