A Scout hut is no longer at risk due to a controversial village masterplan, a council has confirmed.

The 59th Newchapel Scouts Group's headquarters in Packmoor had been threatened by Stoke-on-Trent City Council's proposals to earmark farmland for hundreds of homes.

This meant the group was only offered a short-term two-year extension to its lease while the council was considering various options for the Packmoor masterplan.

But the city council has now confirmed that the masterplan option chosen means there is no longer any threat to the Scout hut in Rainford Close – meaning a long-term lease renewal can now be negotiated.

Council leaders previously said that 'no final decision' had been taken in relation to the site, which sits just outside the masterplan area.

Scout leaders and ward councillor Dave Mountford have criticised the way the council has handled the situation, which left a long-standing community organisation with an uncertain future.

The council says it will now work with the group to establish a long-term agreement around its future.

A council spokesperson said: "On 20 May this year, officers from the council met with the Scouts Group and a ward councillor to confirm the-then current position of the masterplan consultation.

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"We explained that, whilst we couldn't pre-empt the consultation process until it had concluded and a formal decision made in respect of a preferred option, we could – at that time – offer a two-year lease.

"This offer was made knowing that, whatever masterplan option was chosen to take forward, a period of two-years grace would be afforded to the Scouts Hut before any would-be works compromised its future.

"However, while this offer was rejected by the group, given that the chosen option for the Packmoor Masterplan removes the risk associated to the property, the council looks forward to engaging with the Scouts Group with a view to establishing a long-term agreement around their future."

Leaders at Newchapel Scouts have said that they will hold the council to its promise to ensure the group's long-term future in Packmoor.

One of their major concerns was the fact that the group had spent tens of thousands of pounds on an extension to the Rainford Close building prior to learning it was at risk.

The masterplan option chosen by the council will see up to 816 homes built on 24 hectares of council-owned land, along with a new spine road across the site.