Sydney-based developer The Bathla Group has lodged plans with Maitland City Council for the $45 million project, which it plans to build in six stages.

It is seeking concept approval for the overall development and to construct the 203-lot first stage.

If approved, the development will likely eventually triple Lochinvar's population, which at the 2016 Census was home to 784 people.

The suburb has long been earmarked for residential development and was identified as an urban release area in the Maitland Local Environmental Plan in 2012.

Council and state government investigations in the years beforehand determined about 650 hectares of undeveloped land could accommodate up to 5000 lots.

The Bathla Group's subdivision is of rural land to the west of Station Lane.

The northern end of the 120-hectare site borders existing residential areas.

Lot sizes are between 450 and 600 square metres. Each lot will be serviced with reticulated water, sewer, gas and telecommunications.

A new road through the site between Station Lane and St Helena Close would be built before the following stages, which will be subject to separate DAs, proceed.

Station Lane is also expected to be widened.

The proposed estate includes two parks for recreation and a network of footpaths and cycleways.

Lochinvar train station is 1.5 kilometres away and there are bus routes nearby.

The DA is yet to go on public exhibition.

It will be assessed by the council but determined by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.

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