Village green bid to protect meadow

ACTION group members are appealing

for help in ensuring land controversially

earmarked for housing is never built

on.

The action group is growing in support week on

week in its battle to stop the development of

Newpool Meadows in Biddulph.

The land is one of a number of sites earmarked

for affordable housing by Staffordshire Moorlands

District Council.

The plans have sparked mounting opposition

from local people.

They say the land is well used by children and

dog walkers, and is liable to flooding.

The Newpool Meadows Action Group has collected

2,300 names for a petition against the

development of the land.

It has also launched a bid to win village green

status for the site, which would protect it from

development.

It is asking people to complete questionnaires

showing their use of the meadows land over the

last 20 years.

The group is also asking for photographs of the

land being used to back up their case.

The evidence is due to be submitted by the end

of this month to Staffordshire County Council,

which will decide the merits of the village green

application.

The group raised more than £200 at a table top

sale and barbecue at the Gardeners Arms pub in

Brown Lees Road, Brown Lees.

The money will be used for expenses such as

the possible cost of employing a solicitor in connection

with the village green bid.

"We have had 82 questionnaires completed,

and people are also coming forward with photographs,"

said action group leader Ellen Faulkner.

"The petitions are available at most of the local

shops, and action group members will out collecting

signatures in Biddulph town centre from

10am to midday tomorrow (August 12).

"We're going to continue with the petition until

the plans are discussed by the district council,

which could be next month.

"I'm amazed at how the action group has grown

- it's absolutely tremendous.

"Every work surface in my kitchen is awash

with paperwork, and I've not been able to do any

housework for weeks!

"People are sick of more and more housing

development without infrastructure being taken

into account.

"We're hoping to get 3,000 names for the petition,

and I'm sure we will do it."

Mrs Faulkner thanked the Gardeners Arms

landlord for his support.

The action group has its own website,

www.knypersley-actiongroup.co.uk, created by

Stephen Chaddock and Neil Austin.

Village green questionnaires are available by

ringing Terry on 01782 512445.