Residents have turned out in force to defend a decision by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to refuse plans for 200 homes in Baldwins Gate.

The council is in a battle with developers Richborough Estates over the issue, after the local authority turned down a planning application for the mammoth development back in October.

Now, the developer has challenged that decision, with an external planning inspector called in to make a final ruling.

An inquiry began yesterday at Castle House in Newcastle town centre, and is expected to heard over six days.

It's expected to conclude on Thursday 25th May although it's understood a final decision won't be made for a number of months.

The council's lawyers said Baldwins Gate isn't well-served by public transport and that the proposals would see the removal of high quality farming land.

The inquiry is expected to end on Thursday 25 May (LDR).

They say the application was refused on the grounds that it was inappropriate for the rural location.

Objectors also say the proposals risk overwhelming local services such as schools, GPs and dentists which are already stretched.

The developer's lawyers said the country is in the middle of a housing crisis, and that the borough council is unable to demonstrate it has an adequate housing supply, meaning the development is necessary to help those looking for homes.

They also noted the proposed site hasn't been granted any form of protected status and isn't regarded as greenbelt land or within a national park.

They say its location on the settlement fringe means it is inevitable it will have to be used for development to help the country to meet housing need.

Colin Perry, chair of Whitmore Parish Council was one of those present as the proceedings got underway, and turned up to demonstrate his objection to the plans.

He said: "We've got to stand up and protect our rural environment. What they're going to do is turn a rural environment into an urban environment.

"They put 150 homes in four years ago, they now want another 200 and there's another application for 52 more just across the road.

"So if this one goes, it would destroy Baldwins Gate and that part of Staffordshire."

Residents and councillors attended the inquiry to support the council's decision (Google).

He acknowledged there is a need for more housing, but feels the proposed development is inappropriate as there aren't any services nearby to accommodate the people who might want to move there.

Maer and Whitmore borough councillor Amy Bryan also attended Tuesday's hearing to support residents and to back the council in its fight against the development.

She said: "I've come to the appeal as a resident and as a borough councillor, to support residents and the place where we love. We want to protect it for future generations.

"I'm on the planning committee, and was part of the unanimous decision to refuse the application.

"I hope the planning inspector upholds that decision and can see the same reasons that we saw.

"It's not a great location to be putting 200 houses. With the bus timetables, it isn't something you can do with a 9-5 job so you'd have to have your own vehicle. You can't rely on public transport."

Mike Kelly, chair of Maer and Aston Parish Council, helped draw up the neighbourhood development plans – which set out what local people want to see built in the area – and he believes the proposed 200 additional homes would be unsustainable.

He said: "That village does not have all the facilities it needs to service the people who live there now, and there's an inadequate public transport system.

"So it means more cars, and more fuel, and I'd have thought at a time when we're supposed to be looking at things like that then it makes a bit of a mockery.

"I would hope this appeal can be overruled as what we've got already is too much.

"Somebody needs to grasp it and say, please, no more."

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