Residents of a hamlet near Hanley Castle are concerned about a plan to create two fly-fishing lakes near their homes.

A decision on the application, for land at Gilvers Lane, Brotheridge Green, will be made at a district council meeting next Wednesday (April 20).

The plan includes a visitor car park, fishing lodge and new vehicle access.

Gilvers Lane resident Tony Phelps said a petition against the proposal, signed by more than forty people, had been handed to the planning department.

He listed major concerns as the increased volume of traffic using the narrow lanes in the area, the impact on landscape and wildlife and the increased risk of flooding.

"Cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders use the lanes and the increased traffic would put them in danger," he said.

Mr Phelps said a brook near existing houses regularly floods and residents were worried the lakes would make matters worse.

"The water comes right across our lane and has reached my neighbours' houses before," he said.

Chris Lee, who is behind the application, with his partner Charlotte Morgan, said they had done all they could to address any possible problems.

"We've worked very closely with the Environment Agency for five months, and had a flood risk assessment done," he said.

"We've proposed to add a new section of brook to take the excess water away."

He added: "We want to use the fishery as a facility for local people and young people."

He said game fishing was a quiet and unobtrusive hobby and would not involve coachloads of people coming to the site,

"We think it will benefit the area, and have had lots of letters of support for the project," he said.

The application, which planning officers have recommended for approval, will be considered at a meeting at 7pm on Wednesday at Priory Lodge Hall.