A self-build housing scheme at a rural location will go ahead, despite being seen as 'unsustainable' by objectors.

Planning committee members at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council approved the outline planning application for three homes on land off Manor Road, near Baldwin's Gate.

The development, in a field next to an existing property called Farcroft, will allow people to build their own homes, each of which will require its own reserved matters application.

Sixteen residents objected to the scheme, saying the location is unsuitable for new homes due to its rural location outside of Baldwin's Gate village envelope.

Highways officials at Staffordshire County Council also objected to the application on sustainability grounds, as future residents would be dependent on private cars.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval, pointing to recent appeal decisions in the area, with sites even further away from Baldwin's Gate being considered sustainable.

But Baldwin's Gate resident Daniel Smith, who was among the objectors, told the committee he believed the Farcroft site to be a much worse place for houses.

He said the speed limit along Manor Road is 60mph, with no footpath or lighting, meaning walking to Baldwin's Gate 'simply isn't safe'.

Mr Smith said: "The site has a long and consistent planning history. Every previous application and appeal, mostly recently for a single dwelling in 2023, has been refused for the same reasons.

"Nothing material has changed here yet we're here again considering, essentially, the same plot for an increased number of dwellings."

The borough council cannot currently demonstrate a five year supply of housing land, meaning a 'tilted balance' in favour of sustainable development applies. But Mr Smith argued that this did not give 'carte blanche' to develop unsuitable sites.

Alan Corinaldi-Knott, speaking for the applicants, said the scheme would help meet a 'demonstrable' local need for self-build housing plots, referring to the 29 people who had written in support of the application.

He said: "This is not a speculative scheme. The homes will be built by future residents who will live and contribute to local area and businesses.

"They will already live in locality and will want to build their own home in locations where they grew up. This is local community-led growth at its best."

Planning officers told the committee that it would be difficult to sustain an objection to the application on sustainability grounds given the recent appeal decisions.

They also explained that an objection on highway safety grounds would be difficult as safety had not been a factor in previous decisions on the site.

Committee members eventually voted in favour of their officers' recommendation.