Proposals have been announced for the construction of approximately 650 new homes on farmland bordering Newcastle-under-Lyme. The project, put forward by land promoter Richborough, would be located off Whitmore Road beside the Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club and would also include the creation of a new country park.
The development is expected to feature a mix of two- to five-bedroom properties, with 30% designated as affordable housing. According to Richborough, which is currently conducting a pre-application consultation, the scheme aims to meet local housing needs, stimulate the areas economy, and deliver accessible green space for the community.
The draft local plan for Newcastle identifies the site for 550 homes, though the plan has not yet been formally approved. Adjacent land to the southwest, near the M6, is earmarked for transformation into a country park that will include allotments and a community orchard, remaining within the green belt.
Access to the development would be provided by two new junctions on Whitmore Road. The proposals also include lowering the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph and installing a new pedestrian crossing. Additionally, space would be reserved for a future road connection between Whitmore Road and Keele University.
Consultation documents highlight significant investment in green infrastructure, including a publicly accessible country park to the southwest. Plans also outline several equipped play areas for children and new pedestrian and cycling links connecting the site to wider routes and open spaces.
Richborough stated that the project would support local businesses through increased consumer spending and create jobs during the construction phase. The public consultation runs until 7 December, with a planning application expected later in the year.
Newcastle Borough Council is preparing for another consultation stage on its draft local plan, which will provide development guidance across the borough through 2040. The plan is anticipated to be formally adopted next year.
