A petition has been launched which calls on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to reconsider plans for thousands of homes in rural villages.

It's being spearheaded by a group of residents in Audley – who say they're joining forces with other residents' groups and parish councils across the borough with their campaign.

Protect Audley Parish Greenbelt (PAPG) held a meeting in January at The Pensioner's Hall in Audley which was attended by residents and local councillors.

They say the population of Newcastle borough has fallen by 0.5% between 2011 and 2021, and there is now less need for new housing in the area.

The group says the number of new homes built in recent years has exceeded housing targets, and that largescale development would be detrimental to wildlife and the character of the area.

One of the campaigners, Jan Moreau said: "The worst case scenario for Audley was 1,000 homes in our parish – which was absolutely frightening.

"What we're hoping now, because Michael Gove has proposed amendments to the national planning policy, is they're hopefully going to listen to local residents more.

"We're hoping they will review the housing targets, because we're looking at 7,000 homes across the borough – but it's not obligatory now, it's like a starting point.

"We thought that if we got a petition together before Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council publish their draft local plan in the spring then this would send a message to the council they need to review the figures.

"I'm hoping they will listen to us and really look at the housing demand for the borough."

Mrs Moreau said she hoped that the anticipated figure of 7,000 homes would be reduced, as she believes because there isn't demand for that many houses.

She also believes allowing it would cause existing residents more problems as they already have problems accessing overstretched amenities and local services.

She said: "We're country people, we've got country roads and we've got limited facilities.

"In Audley we already struggle for doctors and dentists appointments – I go to Sandbach for dentist appointments.

"What happens when all these houses are built? It's quite scary."

There are similar groups fighting development proposals in Keele, Loggerheads and Baldwins Gate – all of which are striving to maintain their area's rural appeal.

The PAPG petition currently has 300 signatures, and the target is to get over 1,500 signatures to meet the threshold for it to be discussed by the council.

Mrs Moreau said a number of parish councils were also supporting the campaign.

The full petition can be read here.

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