FAMILIES are fighting plans to build a housing estate on land near their homes.

Proposals by Revelan Developments to put up 176 houses in Butt Lane, Kidsgrove, have sparked concerns as one existing property is set to be bulldozed to give pedestrian access to the houses.

They would be built in an area with community woodland and open space between West Avenue, Church Street, Congleton Road and Linley Road.

Families fear an increase in anti-social behaviour, an increase in traffic and air and noise pollution.

Shop assistant Anne Probyn has lived in Church Street for 28 years. She organised a 150-signature petition to protest about the plans after her next-door neighbour agreed to sell her own property to make way for the path to the development.

Mrs Probyn said: "To take out a house is just disgusting.

"We feel that living next to the path will mean an increase in anti-social behaviour around our property."

The Staffordshire County Council highways authority has also recommended that the application should be refused due to a lack of information regarding the roads.

And Natural England wants the plans thrown out because of a tree which has "suitable features for bats".

Mrs Probyn said: "We are a street already struggling with issues. We have problems with parking and traffic."

Residents are concerned that, after a spate of burglaries last year, the path may provide criminals with an easy access route.

Mrs Probyn added: "I strongly object to the property being demolished.

"Lots of residents have lived here for years and why should we put up with more criminal activity?"

Town Mayor Kyle Robinson said: "Residents are objecting to the walkway because there are access problems already and to just slap a path here doesn't seem reasonable.

"The residents have lived there a lot longer than any developer so it should be them who get the final say."

The application is due to go before Newcastle Borough Council's planning committee tomorrow.

Officers have recommended approval, subject to conditions including making a quarter of the homes low-cost housing and making a donation towards schools in the area.

Accounts administrator Sylvia Dymond, aged 52, of Church Street, is also against the proposals. She said: "I think it will become a gathering ground for local children and it will leave us open at the back of our houses.

"There are already congestion problems in the area and this will mean a road and junction will be built at the bottom of my garden.

"I don't think it is going to work and there should be a site visit by the council before it decides on this."