Thousands of new homes could be built in the 'A50 growth corridor', under a council's updated planning blueprint.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is carrying out a partial review of its local plan, which was adopted more than five years ago.

The council says that the district has so far failed to achieve the development rates set out in the plan, with delivery of new homes being particularly low in Leek and Biddulph.

In addition to this, the Staffs Moorlands has seen its government-set housebuilding target increase by more than 50 per cent, from 320 to 497 homes a year.

Council bosses believe this additional housing growth can be accommodated in the A50 growth corridor, in the south of the district, instead of being added to existing allocations where delivery is already lagging.

The proposed revision of the local plan allocates 2,994 homes to the growth corridor – more than a third of the 8,448 homes which the Moorlands needs to build by 2043.

But there are no proposals to add specific site allocations to the plan. That would require a full review, which would not be possible before the council is abolished and replaced in 2028, under local government reorganisation.

Council bosses instead hope the updated plan will send 'clear market signals' and set out the broad priorities of the Staffs Moorlands, which will be taken on by the new North Staffordshire unitary authority.

The revised plan states: "The A50 Growth Corridor has been identified as an accessible, sustainable location which reflects recent strategies and evidence.

"This part of the district benefits from strong strategic road links to wider areas such as the East Midlands, and local commercial operators; and passenger railway links.

"This, coupled with high demand for new homes and the area's proximity to places of work, means that it is considered the most appropriate place in the district to accommodate this growth."

It adds: "Precise boundaries for the Growth Corridor area and specific allocations will be considered in a future local plan, prepared by the new northern Staffordshire council due to be created on 1st April 2028 as part of local government reorganisation."

The revised plan also include new policies for 'protecting and enhancing' existing sports facilities and open spaces in the Moorlands.

Meanwhile, policies allocating 15 homes to land at Horsecroft Farm in Leek, and 75 homes to two Green Belt sites off Ash Bank Road in Werrington, are set to be deleted from the plan.

The council has launched a public consultation on the updated local plan, which will run until Thursday, 8 October.

Councillor Darren Price, deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: "We know that the people that live and work in the Moorlands take a keen interest in the future development of our area so we're asking people to share their views on these three specific policies and two sites as part of this review.

"There are lots of ways to get involved including some drop-in sessions where you'll have the opportunity to speak to planning officers about the issues and the options being considered. So please take a look at the documents and tell us what you think. We look forward to hearing your thoughts."

People can have their say by visiting the consultation portal here.

The local plan documents are also available to view at council offices in Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek, and at local libraries during normal business hours.

Online response forms can be emailed to [email protected] and completed paper forms sent to Planning Policy, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, PO Box 136, Buxton, SK17 1AQ.

And informal public drop-in sessions will take place at the following locations:

• Leek – Wednesday 2 September, 4pm – 7pm, in the Churnet Room at Moorlands House, ST13 6HQ
• Blythe Bridge – Saturday 5 September, 10am – 1pm, at Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Road, ST11 9JR
• Cheadle – Tuesday 8 September, 4pm – 7pm, in the Oakley Room at the Guild Hall, Tape Street, Cheadle, ST10 1BG
• Biddulph – on Friday 11 September, 4pm – 7pm, at Biddulph Town Hall, High Street, Biddulph, ST8 6AR