We, the undersigned, residents of the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme, call on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council (NULBC) to formally urge Staffordshire County Council to protect College Fields in Madeley as an open-access green space.
This petition follows the formal presentation of a similar community petition to the House of Commons on 24 February 2026, supported by over 1,000 residents who have already expressed significant anxieties regarding proposals that would limit public access to this valued asset.
College Fields is a vital green space that has been used by the community for generations for recreation, wellbeing, and outdoor activity. The prospect of fencing or other restrictive measures has caused widespread local opposition and raised critical questions regarding the transparency of decisions affecting this valued asset. Local residents have been consistent in their demand that College Fields remains open and accessible, and that any future decisions regarding the site must be made with meaningful community engagement. Imposing changes without proper consultation risks damaging public trust and undermining the character of the Madeley community.
The new administration at NULBC has a crucial role to play urging their colleagues at Staffordshire County Council to use their position to listen to the serious concerns raised by local residents and ensure College Fields remains open and accessible for the benefit of the Madeley community.
We therefore request that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council formally urges Staffordshire County Council to commit to the long-term protection of College Fields as an open-access green space, formally rule out the erection of fencing or any other measures that would restrict existing public access, and work constructively and transparently with Madeley residents, the Parish Council, and local stakeholders to agree a future for the site that reflects the needs and priorities of the community.
