Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has formally pledged to protect dozens of parks, playing fields and open spaces across the borough. The commitment recognises these sites as "important community assets for residents".
Full Council approved a motion to address concerns raised by the Local Plan 2020-2040, which sets out which land can and cannot be developed across the borough.
Council's commitment to green spaces
Ben Simpson, the Council's Cabinet member for Waste, Recycling and Green Spaces, said the administration recognises how vital these spaces are to communities. The Council will use "appropriate safeguards to protect them in future".
Government housing requirement poses challenge
The Council has expressed concern about a Government instruction to begin drafting a new Local Plan for 2030-2045. This would require an additional 2,000 homes to be planned across the borough.
Council leadership has already written to Government opposing this request. The Council has also asked the three MPs covering parts of the borough to join their opposition to the housing requirement.