Up to 55 new homes could be built in a Staffordshire Moorlands village if a planning application is approved.

An outline planning application has been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to build up to 55 homes on a field north of Breach Road in Brown Edge.

The 3.21 hectare site, which is currently used for sheep and horse grazing, lies within the Staffordshire Green Belt.

However, the application explains that a formal pre-application enquiry was undertaken with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council which confirmed that "the site could be regarded as a Grey Belt site and the development as proposed would be acceptable in principle".

The application states: "The proposal is for the development of a Grey Belt site.

"The site is sustainably located, would meet an unmet need for housing, conform with the 'Golden Rules' and would not fundamentally undermine the purposes (taken together) of the remaining Green Belt land across the plan area."

The planning statement added: "It makes efficient use of land by proposing an appropriate housing density and directing development towards land which is not classed as best and most versatile for agricultural purposes."

The development would consist of a mix of house types and sizes ranging from one to four bedrooms including two storey dwellings and a two storey apartment block.

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Of the homes, 27 would be open market while the remaining 28 would be affordable housing.

The planning statement concluded that the development could provide a "significant number of benefits" including the delivery of accessible open space, assisting in meeting unmet housing need and the "provision of up to 55 dwellings in a sustainable location".

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has yet to make a decision on the proposals.

If the application is approved, it is expected that a more detailed application would be submitted before building begins.

To view the full application, visit the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council planning website here.