The instigation for the study was a neighbour who enquired about the possibility of creating a small 14 lot subdivision on a 41 hectare parcel of land adjoining the Highlands Estate.

Blayney council's director of Planning and Environmental Services Mark Dicker said that the investigation was to take a high level look at the South Blayney precinct that's already zoned as residential and identified as future potential residential.

"We're looking at that area irrespective of land ownership," he said. "When we looked at the initial layout we concluded that it would be preferable to understand the overall lot yield of the land identified for potential residential growth."

"And that's a key point because developers will often only look at what they own, this will look at the entire area and will allow council to plan the infrastructure services needed."

"Knowing what that lot yield is will allow us to ensure the sustainable delivery of services such as the local road network, sewer and stormwater."

Mr Dicker said that the concept was in no way binding, but it would be the initial piece of information that may facilitate a detailed masterplan for that residential area.

"We need to look long term and not just tack on, tack on, tack on," he said. "We need to look at what's best for council's assets and therefore the community."

"It's similar to what Orange City Council have done with Shiralee where they say if you want to subdivide, this is what it needs to look like.

"A masterplan sets the overarching layout for future subdivision in relation to lot layout and yield, road hierarchy, infrastructure requirements, pedestrian movement and public open space."

Of particular focus for Mr Dicker is the road network that would be needed to avoid a rabbit warren of streets through differing developments.

"It's better if we have one main road running through the development rather than having all these smaller streets. The concept plan will allow us to determine where the main road would best be placed."

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