The track from Ipstones to Cauldon Lowe was lifted and sold (MCR). The track from Froghall to Oakamoor was lifted and sold (CVR) to pay for the track from Leekbrook to Ipstones to remain in situ (MCR) instead of being lifted and sold. The ride up the steep bank is the bit of interest to enthusiasts.
At a similar time the track from Cresswell to Cheadle was lifted and sold (MCR linked).
There were two housing proposals. One by MCR at Leekbrook which was, quite rightly, refused. The second housing proposal (at Barnfields near Leek) was by a company with no identified connection to any rail company but which included passive provision for a station i.e. a bit of land coloured a different colour on the overall site plan as a sweetener to make the proposal seem more acceptable. This second planning application was approved IIRC.
As for Froghall to Alton Towers, the main obstacles are;
a) objections by local residents and users of the existing trackbed walkway,
b) the existence of a sewer under the trackbed,
c) the bridge over the river at Oakamoor is now used as the road access to the Oakamoor Picnic Site car park (following structural problems with the old road bridge),
d) the station buildings at Alton are in private ownership as a holiday let (Landmark Trust),
d) the walk from the station to the theme park is too far for the thrill seeker of today.
None of which are insurmountable.
As for Stoke to Leekbroook;
The line from Leekbrook to Endon was cleared of trees a while ago, and remains clear.
The line from Endon to Stoke is a forest of mature trees. There is a mine of new, flat bottomed rail, lineside at a location I am not prepared to disclose!
