Hundreds of people are fighting against council-owned green space in their neighbourhood being sold off for housing.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has declared the 1.45 acres of land off Clermont Avenue in Hanford 'surplus', which could lead to it being sold to a developer.

While no decision on the future of the site has been taken, a council report listed it as having 'potential for residential development'.

A total of 261 people have now signed a petition calling on the council to reverse its decision to declare the land surplus.

Local residents say the land is used by dog walkers every day, and warn that Clermont Avenue would not be able to cope with extra traffic. The council's position is that the land is surplus to its operational requirements, and so alternative uses should now be explored.

But ward councillor Dan Jellyman, who started the petition, does not believe the council has done enough to demonstrate that the land is not needed.

Cllr Jellyman said: "This land isn't surplus, it's public open space. The council should have done an open space assessment for the area before declaring it surplus.

"But they didn't do that, they just went straight ahead and declared it surplus, because we know they need to sell off land to pay back the government bailouts they keep asking for.

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"I expect that developers will be interested in this site, as it's in a desirable part of the city."

The council has received more than £60 million in emergency government loans over the last three years, which will have to be repaid by selling off assets. Cabinet members voted to declare 27 parcels of land surplus at their meeting last month.

Before disposing of designated public open space, councils have to advertise the proposals and consider any objections received.

Residents in Hanford say the land of Clermont Avenue is well-used by local people, and would not be suitable for development.

Clermont Avenue resident Jane Rogers said: "The council might think this land is surplus to requirements, but the community here doesn't think it is. There are always people walking their dogs here, and there's lots of wildlife as well, like hedgehogs and foxes.

"Having this green space here is one of the reasons why we moved here in the first place.

"I don't know how they can get rid of public open space. If you were building a new estate, you'd have to include a certain amount of open space, so how can they get rid of it when it's already there?"

Fellow resident Anthony Day added: "When people come to the church they all park along Clermont Avenue, so if they build houses here where are they going to go?

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"These houses were originally built for Michelin workers, and this piece of land has always been left undeveloped."

The online petition, which will run until the end of July, can be found here.

The city council has been approached for comment.