The site is located to the north east of Walton-on-the-Hill and to the south east of the main urban area of Stafford. It is approximately 29 hectares (‘ha’) in size and comprises two adjoining agricultural fields separated by hedgerow, with an area of scrub and woodland to the north.

The site is bound by existing homes to the south and west, and adjoins Milford Road on its south-western corner. To the north, it is bound by the railway and beyond lies the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and the River Sow. Green Gore Lane, an unadopted road, lies to the east.

In terms of landform, the land rises north from Milford Road reaching a relatively flat plateau in the central and western area, before descending steeply northwards towards the railway line and eastwards towards Green Gore Lane.

• The land is designated as Flood Zone 1 – the Environment Agency’s lowest flood risk level.

• There are no listed buildings within the site, however, Grade II Listed Walton Bridge and The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Conservation Area are located just to the north.

• The proposed new homes would sit near to, but outside of, both Cannock Chase National Landscape and the Green Belt.

• Two trees are subject to Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and will be retained.

• A public right of way crosses the south western part of the site in a north westerly to south easterly direction.

The proposed design will incorporate the landscape’s existing characteristics and will mitigate constraints where appropriate, as explained in ‘Our Vision’.

The site is within walking distance of a range of services and facilities. Moreover, it is well connected to the public transport network, with bus stops located to the south of the site on Milford Road, providing services to Rugeley and Lichfield, as well as to Stafford Town Centre and Stafford Railway Station.