MULTI-MILLION pound plans to build 77 homes on Stroud Cricket Club's historic ground were revealed this week.

Developer Newland Homes has signed a contract to buy the four-acre site in Stratford Road, Farmhill.

This would provide enough funds for the growing club to build a larger £1million complex at Ryeford.

Andrew Billings, land manager at Newland Homes, said: "The development would be almost the perfect infill.

"It is a relatively level site with good access roads and it is very sustainable in the sense it is near to facilities.

"This would reduce the need for new houses on the outskirts of Stroud."

Under the concept plans, the development would comprise 54 private homes and 23 social homes.

These would be a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom starter and family homes, ranging in height between two and 2.5 storeys.

Most would be semi-detached or short terraces, with back gardens and parking for generally two cars.

The homes, which would all boast energy efficiency measures and solar panels, would overlook a small green public recreation space.

Seasons Private Day Nursery would remain and be provided with permanent parking.

There would also be two public squares and three courtyards, featuring different surfacing to encourage shared use of the streets by different modes of transport.

The existing access road and parallel footpath would be retained, improved and planted with an avenue of trees.

To prevent direct fronting on nearby homes, the developer plans to retain the tree-lined bank along Stratford Road and the hedge along Matthews Way.

Newland Homes, which was responsible for the Newland Brook development in Lansdown, is currently talking with local authorities about building materials and infrastructure improvements.

The developer has delivered letters, containing the concept plans, to about 200 residents in the area.

A wider public consultation, including a public meeting, will be held soon.

Newland Homes will make a planning application in eight to 12 weeks.

The club has already submitted an application for the new ground.

Permission is needed for both applications before Newland Homes buys the site.

Construction work, lasting about 14 months, would only start on the homes after the new ground is established, which could be as soon as September 2010.