HUNDREDS of houses could be built on empty land as part of a long-awaited development project.

Developer St Modwen is to apply for permission to build around 300 homes on land at its Trentham Lakes estate.

The 30-acre site, off Stanley Matthews Way, was earmarked for development after Stoke City's Britannia Stadium was opened in 1997.

It has remained vacant since St Modwen announced multi-million pound plans for Trentham Business Park more than a decade ago.

But now, outline proposals show the company wants a mix of detached, semi-detached and terrace homes to be built on the site.

The initial plans also include children's play areas, as well as pedestrian and cycle links.

Residents living near the site have welcomed the plans for more homes.

However, some were concerned how local services will cope with the increase in families in the area.

Forty-year-old Justin Kirkham, of Edgbaston Drive, said: "I like the idea of having some houses built.

"But I don't want to see anymore traffic lights installed along Stanley Matthews Way.

"There are three sets which are never used and just make it chaotic when it's busy so they are pretty pointless.

"A new estate will look a lot better than another metal unit and I like the idea that St Modwen have incorporated two children's play areas in the initial plans."

Mum Sarah Furniss, aged 33, of Kennington Oval, is worried about the impact on nearby schools Ash Green Primary, Priory Primary and Trentham High School.

She said: "The new homes are a brilliant idea, anything is better than another industrial unit.

"I just wonder about the school catchment areas and how local schools may struggle to cope with the increase in families."

Nigel Cope, aged 39, also of Kennington Oval, said: "Building new homes is a good idea, but I would like to see a new doctors' surgery built and perhaps a row of shops too, because the only thing close by is Aldi and with all the extra houses I don't think that's enough."

The development is the next phase in the 400-acre Trentham Lakes scheme, which includes leisure, commercial, business and residential properties.

St Modwen is due to submit a planning application to officials at Stoke-on-Trent City Council later this month following a public consultation.

Euan Lindsay, senior development manager at St Modwen, said: "We have received many welcoming comments in response to our consultation, supporting our view that a new residential neighbourhood at Trentham Lakes will prove very popular.

"The new homes will provide improved housing choice in the Trentham area, boost the sense of community at the development and help attract inward-investing companies to the city."

Trentham Lakes is a development by Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd, a joint venture between St Modwen and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Residents are now being asked for their opinions about the development.

They are being urged to contact either St Modwen on 01782 645222, or the firm's planning consultants at Barton Willmore on 0121 7115151 for more details.