New Stafford estate with 700 homes and a school is on the way

The proposals from developer Akzo Nobel had been put on the back-burner by Stafford Borough Council until a wider-reaching local authority masterplan for the north of the town was signed off.

Now this has been given approval, the ambitious scheme for land off Beaconside has been made public.

Developer Akzo Nobel submitted the plans to build on a 98-acre plot between the A34 Stone Road and Marston Lane in July.

If permission is granted more detailed proposals will be entered at a later stage, but documents provide an early indication of where the main features of the development will be.

A primary school and a 'local centre' with shops and other facilities are set to be built just north of the existing Taylor Wimpey Marston Grange housing scheme.

There will be two main points of access to the development.

hThe first will stem from Beaconside and run in a north west direction in front of the new school, to the middle of the development where it will come to a junction with the second access road, which will run from the A34 across the scheme.

The housing, which will include a 60-bed care home, will be split into 'six clusters' within the site, which at its heart will have a large pond.

Councillor Stephen Leighton, who represents Seighford and Church Eaton, said: "There is a massive demand for new homes in Stafford and this is part of the long-term plan for the north of the town.

"This is something we have been working towards for a long time in a very controlled way.

"At the moment I have not heard any feedback from local people."

The overall masterplan is for 3,100 homes, two primary schools, a secondary school, additional community facilities and 89 acres of employment land.