Builder hits back over new homes fears near Stourbridge

A housebuilder behind a controversial 175 home development in a village has hit back over concerns from residents.

Cala Homes says there have been "misconceptions" about its scheme for the new homes to be built in Hagley, near Stourbridge.

Regional managing director Darren Humphreys said the region was facing a major housing shortage which council officials wanted to address.

He said the firm would spend around £1.7million to pay for improvements to roads and boost education in the village to cope with the influx of new residents.

Mr Humphreys said: "We believe that this development provides significant benefits for Hagley and it is essential that schemes such as this go ahead in order to meet the future housing needs of local people."

He added: "We have listened to those concerns and are keen to put their minds at rest. We are facing a major housing shortage."

The site is part of the 350-acre Hagley Hall estate and is bordered by the A456 Kidderminster Road and the A491 Stourbridge Road.

Cala Homes say Bromsgrove District Council's own assessment identified the need for between 6,800 and 7,000 new houses over the next 18 years.

Residents, who held a meeting last week to air their views on the plans, say nearby routes including Kidderminster Road were already choked by traffic, without new commuters coming to live in the area.

But Mr Humphreys said Cala will spend £1m on improvement works, adding: "The new development will increase traffic at peak times by less than one per cent. This work will improve the traffic flow so that peak period queues are reduced. Without the development, this improvement work will not go ahead. There simply aren't the funds available."

Mr Humphreys continued: "This is a phased development over four to five years, so the increase in new residents will begradual. As such, we do not expect the impact on the admissions for each school year to be significant. Both Hagley Primary School and Haybridge High School currently take pupils out of the catchment area."

Around 40 per cent of the properties will be affordable homes. The site will also provide 263 jobs during construction and the potential to provide at least 50 jobs in new offices being built.