HOUSING developers are due to be offered the chance to bid for a large swathe of land in Biddulph

The 4.2 hectares lie between Tunstall Road and Lynside Road, and have been pinpointed for large housing estates by major developers.

Alfred McAlpine Homes North West is one of two major developers showing keen interest in building large estates in the Moorlands.

The Biddulph land in question is earmarked for housing, and the Moorlands council is eager not to miss out on the chance toi market the site.

The land is owned by the Moorlands council and Staffordshire County Council, and was originally considered for a possible community hospital.

Since the scheme fell through in 1990 the land, which is allocated for housing in the local plan, has been managed by the Moorland's countryside service as open space.

Moorlands development services head Mike Sutcliffe said the layout of Biddulph reduced the opportunity to expand it outwards.

''Therefore it is considered appropriate to allocate a small number of houses on sites within the town which can be developed without major intrustion,'' he said.

''Appropriately landscaped this site appears to meet this criteria.''

The Biddulph land is due to be sold on the open market to the highest bidder.

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