We are opposed to development of Clough Hall Playing Fields/Barney's Field for 424 homes for the following reasons: 

• The site contains a large number of rugby pitches and the fields are well used for a variety of sport and recreational activities. 
• The development of the site will increase the problem of flooding on Beech Drive and Springfield Drive. 
•   Clough Hall playing fields have a strong heritage value in the area and once formed part of the Clough Hall Estate. 
• Considerable changes to the local Highway would need to be made and this would see a huge increase in traffic through Butt Lane and Clough Hall. 
• Butt Lane and Clough Hall ward is the most heavily developed ward in recent times in Newcastle-under-Lyme (Highlighted in the Local Government Boundary Commission for England review of warding arrangements of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council).

We call on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to remove Clough Hall Playing Fields/Barney's Field from the Joint Local Plan.