Residents of a small Stafford Borough village fear it could be increased in size by almost 30% if plans for 38 new homes are given the green light.

Bradford Rural Estates is seeking outline planning permission for the properties on land west of Malthouse Lane in Church Eaton, near Haughton.

The 4.8 hectare (11.9 acre) site has previously been in agricultural use.

Access to the new homes would be off Malthouse Lane and 15 properties are intended to be affordable housing.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: "Bradford Estate seeks to deliver a scheme which reflects their long term interest and legacy, one which sets the bar high on design quality, so that the scheme can not only meet housing needs but also provide significant benefits to the village and local community.

"The scheme proposes 40% affordable dwellings as part of the 38 properties, with the mix and tenure to be agreed during the course of the application.

"The council has a strong need for affordable homes, so this over provision is a strong benefit.

"The remaining properties will be retained by the estate and let out as part of the estate's existing property portfolio.

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"Over 1,000sqm of allotment gardens are proposed to be fully funded and managed by the estate; this is an area the estate has significant experience in and will ensure that the allotment area is of a high quality and well maintained.

"The allotments themselves will provide a social opportunity for the community and an alternative space for gardening and outdoor leisure within the village.

"The enlarged recreation ground will bring over two hectares of new public open space, alongside the new walking routes and habitats, to create a community resource and help integrate the new residents with the existing community.

"This expansion will see the recreation ground increase in size six-fold, from approximately 1,400sqm to over 7,000sqm.

"Through bringing in a proportionate number of additional residents to the village, the scheme can add vibrancy and help increase demand for local services such as the pub and primary school.

"An increase in the demand for the local school will provide an opportunity for the school to fill its places with local children and have less out of village children coming into the school; increasing the register roll will improve access to key additional funding."

Concerns have been raised in the village about the potential impact of the development however Stafford Borough Council has received a number of objections to the application.

A Wood Eaton Road resident said: "While I recognise the need for housing, this proposal is disproportionate in scale and fails to adequately consider the limitations of the existing infrastructure, environmental sensitivities and character of the village.

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"The village currently comprises 136 homes – the addition of 38 new dwellings represents a near 30% increase in housing, which is excessive for a settlement of this size.

"The village already experiences regular flooding, which in some instances cuts residents off entirely.

"This raises serious concerns regarding safety, emergency access and resilience.

"The surrounding road network is also prone to flooding, exacerbating accessibility issues.

"There is no clear evidence that the development will not worsen surface water runoff or contribute to existing flooding problems."

A Swan Court resident said: "As the village website states, residents need to 'cope with narrow lanes that sometimes flood'. This applies to each of the five roads feeding the village.

"A 28% increase in the number of houses in the village represents a significant rise in the number of vehicles using the narrow High Street, with its on-road parking issues, together with the feeder roads and lanes.

"This will be a particular issue around the times when people go to work and children to and from school.

"The proposed site of 38 houses egresses onto Malthouse Lane just past the junction of that lane with Wood Eaton Road.

"These roads have no useable verge or pavement."