Plans to build 650 homes in fields on the edge of Newcastle-under-Lyme have been unveiled.

Richborough is proposing the residential scheme on land off Whitmore Road next to Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club, as well as a new country park.

The site has been earmarked for 550 homes in Newcastle's draft local plan, although this document has yet to be approved.

Richborough, which is currently carrying out a pre-application consultation on its proposals, says the development will help address local demand for housing while also boosting the economy and providing publicly accessible green space.

The scheme would provide a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, with 30 per cent of the properties affordable.

Land to the southwest of the site, next to the M6, would be turned into a country park with allotments and a community orchard, and would be retained within the Green Belt.

The consultation document states: "Richborough are proposing to deliver a high-quality development of in the region of 650 dwellings, helping local people to get on the housing ladder or find their forever home.

"Too many people are forced to move out of the area they grew up in to find a new home because of the worsening housing crisis across the country.

"Our proposals go beyond bricks and mortar – it takes more than a new house to make a community.

"Our plans include extensive areas of green infrastructure, including a publicly accessible country park to the southwest of the site which will be accessible for all.

"Various children's equipped play areas will be included, in addition to providing pedestrians and cyclists with connections to the wider network of open space and key routes."

Richborough also says that the development will result in increasing spending in local shops, while also creating jobs during the construction phase.

Vehicular access to the scheme would be via two new junctions on Whitmore Road, with a proposal to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph and provide a new pedestrian crossing.

Land will be set aside for a future road linking Whitmore Road with Keele University.

The land off Whitmore Road is included in Newcastle Borough Council's draft local plan, which is currently subject to a further round of consultation after a number of changes were made to the original version.

The local plan, which will guide all development in the borough up to 2040, is expected to be adopted by the council next year.

Richborough's consultation on its proposals will run until until December 7, with a planning application set to be submitted before the end of the year.

To comment on the proposal visit the website here.