Families have vowed to continue fighting plans to build 100 homes in a field – despite the decision to block the scheme being overturned on appeal.

A planning inspector has granted outline planning permission to Staffordshire County Council's proposed housing development on land off Hoon Avenue and Milehouse Lane in Wolstanton, known locally as Baldies Field, which was previously refused by Newcastle Borough Council.

Officers at the borough council had recommended the scheme for approval, but planning committee members voted to block it on the grounds that it would result in the loss of a 'locally unique area of natural open space' and 'detrimentally impact on accessibility to open space'. But following the county council's appeal, planning inspector Paul Cooper has ruled that these concerns are 'unfounded' and that the benefits of the housing development would outweigh any losses.

While outline permission has now been granted, more detailed plans for the housing estate, including its exact layout and design, will need to be submitted and approved before work can commence. Around 600 people objected to the original application, raising concerns over potential flooding, increased pressure on local schools and GPs and traffic problems, as well as the loss of valuable green space.

Dozens of residents attended a public meeting on the issue, held at the Cricketers Arms in May Bank on Thursday night, and were told about the appeal decision.

But campaign organiser Pete Bate, who chaired the meeting, insisted that the fight would continue. He said: "In the inspector's nine-page report there's one page on the decision and then eight pages on all the conditions the developer will have to meet before they can start to break ground. So there's a lot still to fight over. This isn't over. We're not giving up."

Pete Banks said 'There's still a lot to fight over. This isn't over' (LDRS).

The proposed development would consist of 20 homes at the north of the site, and 80 more at the southern end, with the two sections connected by a tree-lined footpath. Vehicular access would be via a new junction on Milehouse Lane and the existing mini-roundabout on Hoon Avenue.

Planning consultants working for the county council argued that there are nine other sites within 1.5km of the site, including Wolstanton Marsh, which together provide 46 hectares of 'good quality' open space, and that the proposed development itself would include almost a hectare of 'enhanced' open space. The appeal also claimed that regular mowing means there is 'very limited diversity of species' on the site.

Mr Cooper agreed that the development complied with planning policies on open space and ecology. In his decision report, he states: "Overall, I find that the concerns with regard to the loss of open space and ecological features understood, but unfounded, and the benefits outlined by the appellant would outweigh any initial losses were development to go ahead. The area is not deficient in open space in any event, as has been demonstrated in the evidence provided, and this proposal would lead to overall improvements."

Despite this decision, local residents still believe there are major problems with the development. At the meeting they expressed fears over potential flooding and run-off into the Lyme Brook and the loss of wildlife habitats, and raised concerns that there could be the remains of a Roman road beneath the site.

And residents suspect that the neighbouring site, also owned by the county council but currently leased to Orme Academy, could also be developed eventually.

Mr Bate said: "They say that there nine areas of open space nearby, with Wolstanton Marsh and the Icky Picky being the main ones. But if you want to walk your dog, the Marsh isn't very good because you can't let your dog off its lead there. And with the Icky Picky, many people don't feel safe there after dusk. Some residents have installed security gates.

"I think this is all about the money. The county council are skint, but this site with planning permission for 100 homes is going to be worth a lot of money – you're talking £30 million worth of houses."

Mark Deaville, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for commercial matters, welcomed the planning inspector's decision.

He said: "We have been working with planning officers from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council for several years to develop an application for this site that retains public green space and walking routes while providing new homes in an area close to existing amenities.

"Planning officers at the borough council recommended this application for approval, though it was then refused by the planning committee.

"Obviously planning law takes into account the need for facilities, access, drainage and so on and we are pleased that the planning inspector has recognised the proposed mitigations, the retention of around a quarter of the site for public green space, and the large amounts of other open land within walking distance."

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