Diggers move in for works on new homes near Stafford Castle Golf Club
Mystery surrounds a new development in Stafford where diggers have moved in to begin work.
Several major developments are planned on land near Stafford Castle Golf Club, with workmen having moved onto a site near the M6.
There has been activity this week but as of yet no confirmation about what work is being done.
Plans are in the pipeline for around 70 homes on the former rugby club playing fields and an assisted living retirement complex will be built nearby.
Taylor Wimpey will also be building 1,500 homes in the area, while a long-running scheme to extend the golf course from nine to 18 holes is currently ongoing.
Stafford councillor Carolyn Trowbridge said she believed preparations works were being carried out ahead of the major developments, which will also see a new access road created.
Councillor Trowbridge spearheaded a campaign to ensure green space was kept for residents when the Taylor Wimpey development is complete.
She said: "There are 64 assisted living units being built next to the surgery and behind that 70 houses on Mansell Close, on the rugby pitch.
"I have seen diggers around that area and I believe they are doing footpaths around there and checking the ground.
"Then there will be 1,500 homes on the way - there is so much development at the moment."
Developers Lovell faced a battle to get permission to build on the rugby pitches and were tweak the plans due to concerns the area would be left with a lack of green space.
There has also been anger about the length of time it has taken to extend the golf course - a job that started was back in 2008.
Councillor Trowbridge sought to reassure residents about the scale of development on the way in Stafford - saying it could have been much worse.
She said: "We have got an acre of land that is staying green so it has been a real success that we have been able to keep that. We will be trying to do the same with the 1,500 homes.
"We would like to be able to keep as much green space as possible and that's what we intend to do but it's in the plan for the Stafford borough so it is going to be developed."
