A new planning application could see four new homes built next to The Top Pub in Brown Edge.

The application, submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council earlier this month, seeks to build three new houses and a bungalow on Green Belt land next to the pub.

Access to the homes would be through the pub's car park, with the car park being improved to "minimise conflict between future residents and customers and maintain and improve the efficiency of the car park."

A 2017 application also sought to construct houses on the site, but it was refused by the council on the grounds that the plan's proposed car park access would lead to conflict, as well as highways and Green Belt concerns.

However, the new application offers several amendments in the hopes of easing these concerns, such as adding speed bumps to the car park, and including a new pedestrian access route.

A planning statement by the application's agent, Ken Wainman Associates, argues that the proposed development represents "limited infilling in villages" and would therefore be appropriate for the Green Belt.

The statement also argues that the application would "not adversely affect the viability, or community use, of the pub" and would "not reduce the number of car-park spaces".

In a letter to the council, the pub's landlord supported the application, saying: "I fully support the new application because of all the proposed safety improvements including the relocating of some car park spaces and especially the improvements to the entrance/exit which will actually make it safer for our customers.

"I am now satisfied the proposal will have no impact on the operation of the car park on the viability of my business and that is why I am supporting the application."

The application will be decided by the district council's planning officers at a later date.

To view the application in full, visit the council's planning portal here.