Families are being invited to have their say on plans to build up to 400 homes on Green Belt land.

Northstone is carrying out a pre-application consultation on its proposals for greenfield land off Hollywall Lane in Sandyford.

Most of the site, between Hollywall Lane, Broadfield Road and Boathorse Road, is designated as Green Belt land.

But a submission to remove the land from the Green Belt and earmark it for housing has already been made to Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which is in the process of drawing up a new local plan.

The developer says the scheme will provide 'high quality, modern, energy-saving homes', with 40 per cent of the properties set to be affordable. The homes would range in size from one-bedroom properties up to four and five-bedroom family homes.

Children's play facilities are also set to feature in the scheme, along with 'significant' areas of public open space. Northstone is looking to submit a 'hybrid' planning application, with full planning permission being sought for the first phase of the scheme, to the south of the site.

A second phase would involve land to the north of the site, with Northstone seeking outline planning permission for this.

Access to the southern section would be via Hollywall Lane, while access to the northern section would be via Broadfield Road.

Northstone's public consultation will run until July 31. A statutory consultation on the plans will take place once the planning application has been submitted and validated.

The company says: "Northstone places a high value on communication, engagement and consultation with the local community, and, as a part of plans to bring forward this new development of homes, we have undertaken to be proactive in building relationships, being open and honest in our communications, and conducting early, dynamic consultation with the local community, businesses, key stakeholders and elected representatives.

"We would encourage you to share your views on the proposed development and provide us with suggestions as to how the development could be improved to meet the needs of the local community.

"At these early stages in the development of the scheme we are open to suggestions from the local community and want to include your ideas."

As part of the consultation, a drop-in event will take place at The Gateway Community Methodist Church, in Heath Street, Goldenhill, on Tuesday, July 8, between 3.30pm and 7pm.

People can also learn more about the plans by visiting the website here. Comments can be emailed to consultation lead Zoe Ensor at [email protected]