Plans have been put forward for caravan pitches at a popular pub campsite threatened with closure earlier this year.

Charlie Bassetts has attracted families and tourists from Stoke and overseas to enjoy stays in the scenic Staffordshire Moorlands.

But the Dilhorne venue's permit was revoked earlier this year, following complaints about noise and nuisance behaviour. Supporters rallied round to defend the campsite – and feared the neighbouring pub could face closure.

Now plans have been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to change the use of land at the back of the New Road pub to a touring caravan site. Seven pitches served by an existing access track are proposed, as well as seven overflow pitches and a facilities building providing toilets, shower and a washing up area.

Charlie Bassett's campsite (Sarah Garner).

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: "Until recently the site has operated under a licence from the Freedom Caravan and Camping Club, and it is open to the applicant to secure a licence from a number of other exempted organisations, such as the Camping and Caravan Club. This site has proven popular as a touring caravan location under its previous status as a certified site and provided a significant boost to trade at the public house adjacent.

"The proposed touring caravan pitches are to be surfaced in grasscrete, which will serve to maintain a green and natural appearance to the site. Neither the engineering operations, or the change of use of the land, will derive harm to the openness of the Green Belt or derive conflict with the five purposes of the Green Belt, as the land will remain flat and open in nature.

"The siting of caravans upon the pitches would have some impact on the openness of the Green Belt when present, but such impacts will be transient in nature, and thus not derive any permanent harm to the openness of the Green Belt. The development is also completely reversible, so if the use were to cease in the future, the land could be restored to its current condition."