Housing plan for Wyrley Rangers off

Controversial plans to transform a South Staffordshire football club into a housing development have been withdrawn after a flurry of objections.

The proposal for Wyrley Rangers Football Club, in Long Lane, Essington, has been dropped.

Parish council chairman Councillor David Clifft believes the "power of the people" had led to the result.

He said: "I've been inundated with letters and calls from residents objecting to the application.

"We can now take some satisfaction that is has been withdrawn."

The club is co-owned by Nadir Imamoglu and his son Greg, who wanted to convert it into four bungalows and remove the 100-seater stand and flood lighting.

Rangers' site is in the green belt and was given special planning permission back in 1996, partly funded by public money.

Councillor Clifft said: "The club was only given planning permission to be built in the green belt because it was a community facility."

Sport England, which gives out Lottery cash to sport projects across the country, was also against the plans.

Wyrley Rangers FC was put up for sale in 2007 but taken off the market last year. The 8.9-acre site features a clubhouse.

Essington Parish Council voted against the scheme last month.