PLANS are being drawn up for executive homes on greenfield land to entice wealth-creators to Stoke-on-Trent.
Two sites in Penkhull and Hanford have now been earmarked for the scheme by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
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Council leaders believe the city’s lack of higher value family homes is weakening its ability to attract top earners.
But residents living near the locations have given a cool reception to the proposals, fearing loss of open space and increased traffic.
Architects are now preparing planning applications for the schemes in Wilson Road, Hanford and Penkhull Farm, Penkhull.
The Wilson Road site is currently a field surrounded by existing houses.
Richard Welsh, who lives opposite the site, says he will be sad to see it developed.
The 46-year-old said: “It is nice having that field there but we always knew something was going to be built on it eventually.
“It’s great because it’s always quiet and you never have to close your curtains.
“We saw a fox catching something the other day, and we it’s nice watching the cranes go after the frogs in the pond.
“But we knew it couldn’t last. The only comfort from these plans is that they’ll be executive homes, and not loads of flats.”
Balmoral Close resident Ray Parkes does not want to see more homes built in the area.
The 78-year-old said: “It just depends where they’re going to build these houses. We don’t want them too close to the back of our homes.
“But I don’t know why they want to build any more housing here. Soon the only blade of grass you’ll find will be on someone’s lawn.
“It will mean more cars on the roads too. Church Lane was built for horse-drawn carts.”
Penkhull Farm contains a Grade II-listed building.
Charles Pantin, chairman of Penkhull Residents’ Association, said residents were keen to see the location developed “sensitively”.
Plans to develop two further locations, in Queens Park, Longton and Greatbatch Avenue. Penkhull, have been put on hold due to unresolved issues with planning and covenant restrictions.
Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, will update councillors on the plans when the council meets on Thursday.
In her written statement on the agenda, Ms Rosenau states: “It is recognised that custom home building can make a stronger contribution to economic growth and a significant contribution to the number of new homes built.
“In the case of Stoke-on-Trent, there is a desire to attract wealth creators to the city, as part of a wider regeneration programme.”