Planners in Newcastle have refused permission for Staffordshire County Council to build up to 100 homes in Wolstanton.

Officers at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council had recommended the plans for approval, but councillors voted to overturn this recommendation.

A decision on the plans was previously pushed back, after councillors requested more information from officers.

A report on the application stated: "The site provides a sustainable and accessible location for residential development comprising of market and affordable housing.

"Adequate open space would remain within the site and the immediate locality for the enjoyment of existing and future residents.

"In addition, there would be new and better quality tree and hedgerow planting enhancing the site's green infrastructure.

"The development would provide acceptable living conditions for its occupiers."

The site, and a playing field next to it, are both owned by Staffordshire County Council (Richard Price).

The playing field is currently on a long-term lease to Orme Academy, but councillors were concerned it could be fenced off in the future, meaning it would no longer be accessible to the public.

They felt this would leave existing residents in the area with difficulty accessing nearby green open space.

Cllr Gill Williams said: "We've been promised by the government everyone will live within a 15-minute walk of a green space or water, under new plans to protect wildlife and restore nature.

"If we allow this planning application, it will be a complete mockery of these plans to help nature.

"Parents, grandparents and children will have to cross busy roads to reach any of the green spaces mentioned in the report.

"I'm sure the agency who did this report didn't have to contend with prams or pushchairs, holding children's hands, while trying to cross extremely busy roads.

"I question whether they even stepped away from their computers."

She also suggested the borough council should do something to protect the space, as part of marking its 850th anniversary this year as a way of preserving the space for future generations.

Councillors also felt that over time it's returned to a more natural state, and now offers a home for animals.

Cllr John Williams said: "This land for development at Hoon Avenue is unique in our urban area.

"It's been neglected for over 50 years by the owner of the land – Staffordshire County Council.

"The grass and hedgerows have been left to grow, in the natural progression of life, and that's what makes it unique in our urban area – not manicured like the areas of open space mentioned in the report by the consultants.

"It's a habitat for wildlife, and it's criss-crossed by paths which are used by residents walking with their families as well as dog walkers and keep-fit enthusiasts."

He said it was designated for open access in the local plan, and that development should not be permitted on sites listed as part of the green heritage network or neighbouring it.

Hoon Avenue fields, Wolstanton (Richard Price).

Speaking on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, Seth Williams told councillors: "There is currently no formal public right of way to the site, albeit there is evidence of its informal use.

"The green heritage network designation doesn't offer any public right of access, nor does it seek to protect sites for that reason.

"It's instead focussed on the landscape ecological value of the wider green infrastructure network.

"The development would provide just under a hectare of public open space within the development itself.

"The submission also considered the accessibility to suitable alternative open space within the vicinity, which most notably includes Wolstanton Marsh approximately 400m along Milehouse Lane from the northern part and 500m if you go along Sparch Hollow from the southern part."

He said the plans also ensured there was no risk of flooding at the site, nor would it exacerbate the risk of flooding elsewhere.

Nevertheless, the plans were refused and could lead to a future standoff between the borough council and county council.

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