A community has rallied around to protect a plot of land in Stoke-on-Trent they fear could be sold off to developers.

A group of residents in Meir Heath is now planning to register as a charity, after discovering an area of heathland adjacent to Grindley Park was due to be auctioned.

The land, which is around 22.5 hectares in size, has now been withdrawn from auction, but residents are now raising money to buy the land if it comes up for sale again.

They have a target of £200,000 and say if they're successful they'll work with conservation organisations to preserve it for future generations.

Dan Wright-Forrester is spearheading the campaign, and believes community ownership is the best option.

He said: "We felt it was right to put a group together to look at how we're going to manage what this sale means for the community and what we can do as a community to try and acquire the land.

"We'll work in collaboration with third parties to try and bring the unique and special area back.

The land, adjacent to Grindley Park off Grange Road, was due to be auctioned (Google).

"Heathland is some of the rarest habitat in the world, actually rarer than rainforest, so it is really important.

"We're really lucky in our area to have these small parcels of heathland, so it's absolutely vital we as a community are able to retain this for future generations.

"As a community we felt it was right to come together to discuss how we oppose any future development plans on there – but more importantly how we register this land as a community asset and acquire it as a community."

Mr Wright-Forrester and others are now in the process of setting up the Meir Heath and Rough Close Community Action Group, which they hope will soon be in a position to buy the land.

The issue is complicated lightly by the fact that the site is divided into two parts – one within the jurisdiction of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the other within Stafford borough.

Mr Wright-Forrester said: "Although it is slightly complicated by having the two separate authorities, we do believe that coming to this as a community, as a charity, is great because we can tackle this as one parcel of land whereas other organisations that might be interested in this land would perhaps find it easier to only go for one [of the two parcels]."

Local resident Julie Hannigan said locals feel strongly about keeping the land as it is.

She said: "It's just a beautiful space, and I think it needs to stay a beautiful space – not just for us, but for people who come and visit and want to go for a walk.

"It's our dog waking field, it's where we take the dog for a walk. Our son goes over there and plays, and we go over for a walk.

"It's just lovely. It's so quiet over there, even with all the main roads."

Stafford borough councillor Alec Sandiford has been discussing what can be done to safeguard the land through the local authorities.

He said: "The area is important because it's greenbelt, it's heathland. It has been used for decades by ramblers, cyclists, dog walkers. It means a lot to local people.

"Save Grindley Park was set up, to galvanise support and rally people in opposition to the sale of it.

"Likewise, Fulford Parish Council have been really proactive in trying to have the land registered as a community asset.

"The positivity, and the way it's united people has been quite immense really. It's precious to the local community."

Stoke-on-Trent City Councillor, Faisal Hussain, said he is against any development on the land (Nub News).

Stoke-on-Trent city councillor Faisal Hussain has also said he is against any development on the land.

He said: "The land was put on the market and raised a number of concerns for local residents and about the future of the land.

"Since it was brought to my attention, I have been working with the community to help protect the future of the land.

"I have had confirmation from the city council that this land falls in greenbelt land and I have also submitted an asset of community value [application] with the community.

"The land has been withdrawn from the market for now but we as a community still need to everything possible to protect it for the future."

READ MORE: Stoke-on-Trent buses upgraded to help reduce pollution across the city 

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.