BY IAN ROSS

ALMOST 100 new homes are earmarked for Biddulph under plans to redevelop land south of the town centre.

The site covers 3.8 hectares between Tunstall Road and the disused railway line, now the Biddulph Valley Way.

Most of the land is allocated for residential development in the Moorlands Local Plan, and has outline planning permission for housing.

A Moorlands planning officer said the notional capacity of the site was 90 homes, and the council supported a development of that density.

"There is a shortage of affordable housing in Biddulph, and this site will be expected to make a sustantial contribution towards this shortfall," he added.

"It is considered a minimum of 25 dwellings should be affordable housing for local need.

"Some may be low cost housing for sale, although there is a particular need for social rented housing in Biddulph."

Planners and housing officers are due to meet to discuss the mix of affordable housing, and to identify a potential registered social landlord wishing to be involved in such a development.

The site is owned by the Moorlands and Staffordshire County Councils, which are seeking to dispose of the land for development.

A planning application is due to be submitted shortly so the land can be marketed.