Plans to build up to 400 homes on greenfield land will put even more pressure on overstretched infrastructure, community leaders say.

Developer Northstone is carrying out a pre-application consultation on its proposals for the mostly Green Belt land off Hollywall Lane in Sandyford.

While the plans are still at an early stage, Northstone says the development will include 40 per cent affordable housing, with the homes ranging in size from one to five bedroom properties.

Members of the public were invited to learn more about the proposals at a drop-in event The Gateway Community Methodist Church in Goldenhill on Tuesday.

Most of those who attended raised concerns over the loss of greenfield land, the impact of more cars on local roads and the increased pressure on local services.

Tom Simpson, secretary of Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents Association, says that local infrastructure has not kept pace with the area's increasing population in recent years.

He said: "My main concern is around infrastructure. Things are bad enough as they are now, but if you're talking about building 400 more homes, that could mean another 800 cars in the area. Hollywall Lane is a very narrow lane, it's going to struggle to cope with that.

"I know there's a need for more housing, but in this area we've already had the Reginald Mitchell and James Brindley developments, so I feel that we've already done our fair share. Sandyford used to be a tiny village but now it's twice the size of Goldenhill.

"But we're reasonable people at the residents' association, which is why we haven't just automatically spoken out against these plans. We're prepared to listen to what the developer has to say."

Chandra Kanneganti, ward councillor for Goldenhill and Sandyford and a local GP, acknowledged the need for new homes in Stoke-on-Trent, but questioned the need to develop greenfield land when brownfield sites are available.

He said: "I was just in Hanley earlier today and there's so much brownfield land that could be developed. There's seven acres of land near Tesco. There should be more incentives for developers to build on sites like that.

"Greenspace is so important for people's health and wellbeing. Building on this land is going to mean people will lose their access to greenspace.

"I'm also concerned about infrastructure. The schools are full and my practice can't take on any more patients. If this development does go forward there needs to be infrastructure improvements first, and only once that's in place should they start building more homes.

"My position on this will be based on what residents tell me. So far around 90 per cent of people I've spoken to have reservations or they're opposed to the plans. But surprisingly around 10 per cent have said they support the development."

Northstone is planning to submit a 'hybrid' planning application, which will include detailed plans for two parcels of land to the south of the site, which will be accessed via Hollywall Lane. There will also be outline plans for a further two pieces of land to the north, which will be accessed via Broadfield Road.

The pre-application consultation will run until July 31. A statutory consultation on the plans will take place once the planning application has been submitted and validated.

People can also learn more about the plans by visiting the website here.

Comments can be emailed to consultation lead Zoe Ensor ata [email protected]