Cheshire East has deferred plans to sell off public open space land in Alsager for housing to consider alternative uses for the site.

More than 80 residents objected to a council proposal to dispose of the site off Talke Road.

Alsager resident Geoffrey McDonald told yesterday's meeting of the economy and growth committee: "The land is a wonderful asset as a green and open space for people to enjoy walking their dogs or just stroll around and take exercise.

"There's a rich biodiversity with wildlife living on the land and in the trees and shrubs. Where will it all go if the land is sold and developed?"

Resident Sue Helliwell said: "According to a recent report, Alsager has less amenity space than other towns. This green space has been vital to our mental health in Alsager. The elderly have had their daily walks around the outside and within the open space."

Council officers had recommended the committee give approval to proceed with the disposal of the land.

But several councillors seemed concerned that if they agreed to this at the meeting, the only option seemed to be to sell to the developer and they wanted more information about alternatives, including possibly a wildlife site.

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Con) said the site is obviously important to local people.

She said the council could use it for other purposes, which she didn't think had been considered at all.

"I think we need to be thinking a bit more outside the box rather than just saying 'oh how handy someone's made an offer, let's accept it'."

She referred to the land contamination and said: "Whilst I take on board all these really heartfelt comments [from residents], we've still got a brownfield site here which, I don't believe in its current state, can be left as it is and be used for an open public space purpose."

She later said the council could come up with some really innovative ideas for the site and proposed deferral to look at other options, saying: "This kind of opportunity doesn't come up very often."

Some councillors were concerned because the site is allocated in the local plan for housing.

Alsager councillor Phil Williams (Lib Dem) said: "It would be great if there was some sort of proposal coming forward for a woodland trust or some marvellous development there, but that's not what we have on the table.

"I'm very concerned about this issue of the five year supply and what the effect would be if this was to come out of the local plan. Where would those houses go?"

Crewe councillor Marilyn Houston (Lab) seconded the deferral.

"There are a lot of the members of public who've made observations and 60% of responses were about loss of open space so it's very clear there are residents who really value this piece this land," she said.

Cllr David Jefferay (Wilmslow East, (Ind) agreed other options hadn't been considered.

"You can't make a decision until you've identified what all your options are and make best choice, so I don't think that work has been done with sufficient rigour," he said.

Cllr Sally Holland (Congleton West, Con) asked whether it would be possible to have some houses and a nature reserve on the site as well.

"Can we come up with a fantastic proposition?" she said.

Councillors voted unanimously to defer the matter so alternative potential uses could be considered.

The matter will come back to a future meeting of the committee.