Plans for a major new housing development featuring 650 homes and a publicly accessible country park on the outskirts of Newcastle-under-Lyme have been formally unveiled.
Details of the Whitmore Road Proposal
Developer Richborough is leading the pre-application consultation for the scheme, which is proposed for land off Whitmore Road, next to the Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club. The site is already earmarked for 550 properties within the borough's draft local plan, a strategic document that is yet to receive final approval.
The development promises a mix of two, three, four, and five-bedroom homes, with a commitment that 30 per cent will be classed as affordable housing. Richborough states the project aims to address local housing demand, support the economy, and create jobs during construction.
Green Space and Infrastructure Plans
A central feature of the proposal is the creation of a new country park on Green Belt land to the southwest of the site, bordering the M6 motorway. This park is set to include community allotments and an orchard, designed as a permanent green infrastructure asset for public use.
The consultation document emphasises the community-focused approach, stating the plans go "beyond bricks and mortar." It promises extensive green areas, multiple children's play spaces, and improved pedestrian and cycle links to wider networks.
Transport and Road Safety Measures
Access to the new neighbourhood would be via two new junctions on Whitmore Road. As part of the scheme, there are proposals to reduce the speed limit on that road from 40mph to 30mph and install a new pedestrian crossing. Land will also be safeguarded for a potential future road link connecting Whitmore Road with Keele University.
The public consultation on Richborough's specific proposals runs until December 7, 2025. The company intends to submit a formal planning application before the end of the year. Separately, Newcastle Borough Council's broader local plan, which will guide development until 2040, is undergoing its own consultation and is expected to be adopted next year.
