Berryhill Fields “Then and Now” – Dave Burgess

Berryhill Fields, Stoke on Trent is often referred to as the “Lungs of the City.” This site is included in the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan (SBAP) as a “priority habitat” and the home of “protected species”. The extent of biodiversity is such that 166 different species of birds have been recorded there. West Midland Bird Club recognises Berryhill Fields as being one of only two “Principal Birdwatching Sites” in Stoke on Trent (the other being Westport Lake).

During the early 1990s Berryhill Fields was bequeathed to the citizens of Stoke on Trent by the Coal Authority after a Government appointed Inspector refused a planning appeal to opencast the site. Subsequent Millennium funding provided improved access, new stiles and signage to the whole area. Nature has continued to do a wonderful job in enhancing the much loved Greenspace and wildlife habitat that we know today.

In February 2018 Stoke on Trent City Council Planners produced a Map delineating a vast portion of Berryhill Fields as “Area 292” a site for future housing developments in their “draft Local Plan”. There was widespread public outrage at this proposal, leading to the formation of the Save Berryhill Fields Action Group of which I’m an active member.

Six years later, Stoke on Trent City Council still haven’t published a “final draft Local Plan” (including site allocations) for Part 2 of the required Public Consultation.

Back in March 2020 the Government set a deadline of December 2023 for all councils to have Local Plans in place. More than 90% of councils achieved this.

Councils which failed to meet the previous deadline now have until 30th June 2025 to submit Local Plans to the Government in accordance with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) transitional arrangements.

Berryhill Fields is not considered safe from destruction by house building until all of the land with “Area 292” is finally removed from the Local Plan.

On 18th April 2024, along with a small group of local residents, I attended a meeting to discuss Berryhill Fields with Councillor Jane Ashworth, who became the new Council Leader after the 2023 Local Elections. Senior Council Officers were also in attendance at this meeting in the Civic Offices. The main points from the meeting were as follows:

• The Council are preparing a revised Local Plan timetable for discussion by Councillors at a Cabinet meeting scheduled for May 2024.

• The Council, “under the current Administration, would not support Berryhill Fields being developed and the Administration would seek to ensure that was reflected in the Local Plan, reflected in its narrative value and describe the site as being ‘not viable’ primarily due to lack of infrastructure.”

• Irrespective of Berryhill Fields being currently described as ‘not viable’, the Council were reminded that the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework, as revised on 20th July 2021) requires councils to have Planning policies and decisions which contribute to “Conserving and enhancing the natural environment” (Section 15).

• SoT Council have sold its shares (19%) of Stoke on Trent Regeneration Ltd., to a private equity company (set by Ms Mowlem).

• The Council provided copies of a Map (attached, Drawing Ref BH, Revision 1, dated 15th April 2024) showing the ownerships of land within the curtilage of “Area 292”.

• There are 3 different landowners, namely:

  • Stoke on Trent City Council.

  • Stoke on Trent Regeneration Ltd., (St Mowlem owned company).

  • J U Developments Ltd., (Jonathan James, local landowner).

• The Council confirmed that the Local Nature Reserve to the East of “Area 292” remains within the ownership of Stoke on Trent City Council.

• Note: “Area 292” which is mostly undulating horse paddocks has the greatest abundance of bird species, …. It is all Berryhill Fields are far as the wildlife is concerned.

• Council Officers outlined a proposed ‘Nature Recovery’ initiative with Staffordshire County Council.

• It was pointed out that through contact between the Save Berryhill Fields Action Group and David Cadman (Senior Conservation Manager at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust) that SWT would be in a position to show Stoke on Trent City Council a way of funding the ongoing management of Berryhill Fields and keep development at bay, in respect to the land that the Council own.

• Councillor Jane Ashworth suggested that the Council should make an announcement, to avoid future speculation, that the previously proposed “City East Link Road” (aka Hanley to Bentilee Link Road) isn’t going to happen. The proposed routing of this scheme traversed through the Northern end of “Area 292” and would have provided a gateway for Developers onto Berryhill Fields.

• A major concern amongst local residents is the Council’s very recent proposal to raise funds by disposing of 5.86 Hectares (14.49 acres) of land at the end of Mossfield Road, Adderley Green. Concern was expressed that this separate site directly adjoins “Area 292” and could potentially provide Developers with access onto Berryhill Fields from the South-Eastern side. Councillor Jane Ashworth said that this piece of land had not yet been sold and along with Jon Rouse (City Director) “agreed to revisit the proposal to dispose of this piece of land including the possibility of covenants being applied to any sale to prevent developments beyond the site, including joining infrastructure.”

On behalf of the Save Berryhill Fields Action Group, I would like to thank Gareth Snell (Labour & Co-op Parliamentary Candidate) for facilitating the meeting with Councillor Jane Ashworth and Council Officers, who deserve credit for their openness and support.

I would also like to take this opportunity to also thank Officers and fellow members of West Midland Bird Club for their continuing support and advice.

Apologies that this report is a little long, but the events described in the past 6 years have provided an insight as to the issues and the current state of play.We await the long overdue Local Plan Public Consultation (Part 2, including site allocations).

The Save Berryhill Fields Action Group can be followed on Twitter (X) @sbhfag or on Facebook at “Save Berryhill Fields Action Group”

Pallet Stacks Field is an undulating horse paddock with an elevated mound, which at the time of writing this guide (May 2024) is frequented by Wheatears, Ring Ouzels and Whinchats. Brown Hares have also been seen in the surrounding paddocks.

If you are going to park up in Bassilow Road (unmade) at Location 1, take a moment to view SoT Council’s very own sign just inside the gate at the North-Eastern end of Fenton Park. The sign describes your view of Berryhill Fields seen from there as featuring a range of habitats and is a rich source of biodiversity. The sign goes on to say that this is a ‘priority habitat’ and the home of ‘protected species’.

Botteslow Flash is at the low lying Northern End of Berryhill Fields. Little Ringed Plovers and waders are amongst the species to have been seen there. Deer frequent the area of tall reeds and scrub near to this location.

Enjoy your visit.

Dave Burgess