About 100 sites to be protected across Telford

Members of the council's cabinet approved its Green Guarantee, despite reservations from some councillors that the plans do not go far enough.

Among the sites protected are parts of Telford Town Park which were not already protected under existing schemes, as are playing fields in Edgmond, Stirchley, Ketley, Newport and Hollinswood.

Newport Cricket Club is formally protected under the plans, as is Wickes Stadium – the home of Wellington Amateurs FC – the playing fields at Madeley Ski Centre, and Leegomery's BMX track and fairground.

Originally 116 sites were part of the consultation, with some removed because they were already protected from development by other measures, such as being nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, village greens, or Fields in Trust sites. The sites were selected following a public consultation.

And in December of this year, residents will have the chance to suggest 50 other sites they would like to protect under the guarantee to mark the golden jubilee of Telford New Town.

Eight hectares of land were removed from the list as they will be protected under another mechanism and a larger area of land – about 10 hectares – was added to the Green Guarantee list.

The plans were approved by cabinet members at their meeting at Addenbroke House on Thursday.

But Conservative councillor Andrew Eade said the plans will not really protect the site at all. He said that he would like to see steps taken that will make the protection stronger so that it cannot be changed further down the line.

He said: "I do support the plans but I don't think they go far enough.

"Future administrations could come in and change the plan."