Reform UK led Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is considering selling part of a 16.6 acre greenspace beside Bradwell Crematorium for housing to help fund a proposed £1.4 million expansion.
This article is based on reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a BBC funded initiative set up to strengthen reporting on local democratic issues. The Staffordshire Signal has taken part in the scheme since September 2026, which means we're able to draw on a selection of LDRS stories alongside our own.
What’s new: Council leaders have revived proposals to use part of the Arnold Grove site to expand Bradwell Crematorium and sell another section for development.
Why it matters: The land was previously being considered for protection through Fields in Trust following public opposition to earlier development proposals.
What’s next: No final decision has been made, and any disposal of the land would be subject to public consultation.
Council leaders have revived controversial proposals to sell part of a greenspace in Bradwell for housing to help pay for the expansion of the neighbouring crematorium.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is proposing to include the 16.6 acre Arnold Grove site in its updated asset management strategy.
Under the proposals, part of the land would be used to extend Bradwell Crematorium, while another portion could be sold for development to fund the scheme. The crematorium expansion could cost up to £1.4 million.
The proposal was previously considered by the council’s former Conservative administration but was later scrapped following opposition from residents.
The land was subsequently proposed for registration with Fields in Trust, a national charity which works to protect parks and greenspaces for public use.
However, the council’s current Reform UK leadership has now revived the potential land sale as a way of funding the crematorium expansion without borrowing money.
Council says sale could avoid borrowing
The proposed changes to the council’s asset management strategy were examined by its finance, assets and performance scrutiny committee.
Conservative councillors compared the potential disposal of sites including Arnold Grove to selling the family silver.
Council leader Jonathan Gullis said the proposal represented a responsible approach and accused the previous administration of avoiding difficult decisions.
“There is a need for development in order to fund the expansion of the crematorium in Bradwell. In fact, this was included in previous plans and had cabinet approval, in June 2021. Architects drew up a masterplan and consultation was undertaken. But a couple of residents complained, and therefore you decided to row back.
“The crematorium expansion is going to cost up to £1.4 million, so rather than going to the lever of high tax, high spend or borrow, borrow, borrow, we are looking at how to use assets that will generate high quality homes, which will improve our tax base, on sites that will also enable us to develop the expansion of the crematorium.
“I make no apologies for looking at these areas and consulting with local residents in order to get an idea of what we think could be a sensible middle ground.”
Arnold Grove withdrawn from Fields in Trust consideration
Under the Fields in Trust scheme, the council and the charity would sign a deed of dedication for each approved site, ensuring the land remained available for public use permanently.
Councillor Gullis confirmed that Arnold Grove had been withdrawn from consideration for Fields in Trust.
However, no final decision has been made about the future of the land. Any proposed disposal would need to go through public consultation.
Conservative group leader Simon Tagg criticised the proposal.
“Fields in Trust is the ultimate protection for green space in this borough. The previous administration put a whole hat-load of sites in there, and hopefully they will go through.
“It seems to be that the family silver is up for grabs in this borough again. It seems they’re selling the family silver and the green space from under the local residents.”
Councillor Tagg also raised concerns about land at St Edmunds Avenue in Porthill and Sheldon Grove in Chesterton. Both sites are set to be added to the asset management strategy after previously being proposed for Fields in Trust.
The scrutiny committee voted against Councillor Tagg’s proposal to ask the cabinet to remove the sites. Members instead voted to support the changes to the strategy.
Sites proposed for inclusion
The new sites listed for inclusion in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s asset management strategy are:
- Riley’s Way, Bignall End
- Gresley Way, Bignall End
- Milford Road, Seabridge
- St Edmunds Avenue, Porthill
- Sheldon Grove, Chesterton
- Slaney Street and Occupation Street, Newcastle
- Cross Street, Longbridge Hayes
- Arnold Grove, Bradwell
Written by Jenna Goodwin, with additional reporting by Phil Corrigan, Local Democracy Reporter.
Support local journalism
Help us grow the Signal
Every tip goes towards expanding what we cover, more reporters, more events, more of Staffordshire's stories told properly. If this was worth reading, help us do more of it.
Every contribution supports reporting, photography, and storytelling across the county.
Join The Staffordshire Signal on WhatsApp
Never miss a single breaking update, local news story, community event, or deep dive. See everything happening in Staffordshire first, straight to your phone!
Get Instant Updates
Thousands Take to the Streets as Stafford 10K Celebrates Tenth Anniversary
New plans revealed for fire damaged Leopard Hotel in Burslem
Keele University and Malaysian partner launch new AI research centre
Stoke-on-Trent SEND team delivers major improvements for children
Castle Classics returns to Newcastle-under-Lyme this October
