RESIDENTS and councillors are being invited to hear about plans for a major new housing estate in Rudheath.

Land at Park Farm off Shipbrook Road is earmarked for up to 200 houses by developers from Manchester and Shropshire.

Before they put together a planning application later this year the developers want to seek the views of local people and councillors.

To gauge reaction to the scheme they are holding a workshop for representatives of the community and stakeholders at a venue on Thursday, April 24.

The event will run from 12.30pm to 3pm, and invitations have been sent to councillors, residents and stakeholders such as the Environment Agency.

A public exhibition featuring details of the planning application will take place later in the year, possibly in May.

The site earmarked for the houses is bounded by the A556, the railway line and Shipbrook Road, is adjacent to the Dane Valley, and the scheme would include areas of open space and landscaping.

It is being put together by Manchester-based developers CTP and Northpoint Developments and Hawk Group from Whitchurch.

“We are at the very early stages of developing the scheme, and before we develop our plans any further we want to hear from residents and stakeholders,” said CTP chief executive David Topham.

“We are looking at ways to benefit the community, which could include contributing to the areas of publicly accessible open space around the Dane Valley or providing land to extend Rudheath cemetery’s car park.

“We are also undertaking studies to look at potential environmental issues, such as flooding and traffic, to ensure they are fully taken into account in the planning application.”

Any residents interested in taking part should call PPS Group on 0800 170 1418 during office hours or email parkfarm@ppsgroup.co.uk.