IN PICTURES: 300 homes for Stafford's Alstom factory site

The scheme has been earmarked for the site of the energy giant's plant at St Leonards Avenue.

But the proposals have immediately prompted concerns about what impact the influx of new residents will have on the town's roads and schools.

Alstom is relocating its HVDC – high-voltage direct current – plant from the plot to Redhill Business Park in the north of Stafford.

Dozens of residents attended a four-hour presentation by applicants St Modwen at St. Leonards Sports & Social Club on Tuesday, but despite the concerns the developer said overall reaction was positive.

Kathryn Clark, of St Leonards Avenue said: "We're concerned about the impact on the road network, the road already gets really busy and we're slightly concerned about the impact it'll have on the local schools as well.

"There's going to be a lot of new families and there's only the one school we have. They'll have to travel further rather than just walking.

"The big open spaces are lovely though and overall it's very positive.

"Any development on this land is a positive thing."

Fellow resident Martin Gray also made reference to traffic issues but believes the development will eradicate the problem of HGVs using the roads.

He said: "It's better than leaving it as a derelict factory.

"The problem we have with St Leonards Avenue is that HGVs squeeze between the cars constantly. You're not going to get that problem with houses.

"We're going to get less heavy traffic down the street, we're going to get less traffic than the factory because they get two or three hundred cars in at one go and it's good use of the land. All in all, very positive."

St Modwen acquired 74 acres of land from Alstom in 2002. They have already obtained planning consent for 194 homes on the east side of the plot which means there will be up to 500 if the latest proposal is approved.

The new estate, which has been called 'The Fairway' would be built in stages with 100 properties built initially.

Clive Ryder, who lives on St Leonard's Avenue, said that any boost to houses in the area would be good.

He said: "I think on the basis that we're so desperate for houses, I think I'm okay with the new plans.

"So long as some of it is affordable homes and they are saying that they're building one bedroom homes for younger people.

"It's not intruding onto the fields at the back, so there won't be an environmental impact.

"The only thing that concerns me from their point of view is that some of the land can flood, but they'll know all about that as part of planning."

St Modwen is collating the feedback from residents and has declared it will submit a formal planning application into Stafford Borough Council in the spring.

Ian Romano, the senior development surveyor for St Modwen, said: "The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, not just on local roads but from further afield as well.

"We've had comments about the impact on roads, which is something that we'll look into.

"People like the layout, they recognise that they need more housing in Stafford.

"We're providing a good mix of housing, from one bedroom to five bedroom, so there's a full range. Affordable housing will form a part of each phase

"It's a brown field site, appropriate for housing."

Alstom recently stated that up to 140 workers in Stafford, including the firm's Lichfield Road works, were at risk in the next two years not long after been taken over by US industrial giant General Electric.

The firms are looking to make savings where the two companies overlap.

Yet despite the possible staff reductions Alstom has reaffirmed its commitment to the developing it new site at Redhill.