Halesowen community leaders will battle homes on green belt

The Coombs Wood Wedge, at the edge of the town, is cherished by locals as a place to walk and a habitat for wildlife.

But the land is believed to be under threat from housing developers, with councillors saying they understand 80 homes are earmarked for the site.

But St Modwen Properties is keeping tight-lipped about its plans for the land which runs alongside the Dudley Canal off Mucklow Hill.

All three Halesowen North ward councillors have agreed to fight any proposals for new homes.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare said she had previously fought hard against Coombs Wood Cricket Club moving onto the land as she feared it would encourage other proposals to build there.

"The fact is that rumours of a possible development came even sooner than I had expected," she said. "I find it extremely frustrating that there is still nothing in the public domain although it is clear that plans and options are being drawn up behind the scenes."

She added there was no need to build on green belt land in the area as there are two suitable brownfield locations.

"There are other potential sites such as Holt Farm School, the land at the bottom of Fairfield Road and other former industrial sites where businesses have long since gone and which are desperately in need of development and would take away the blight on surrounding homes."

Councillor Stuart Henley has launched a petition citing concerns about the impact of development on traffic.

And councillor Hilary Bills has urged residents to fight 'tooth and nail' in a bid to hinder St Modwen, who she said has offered bargains to several community groups in a bid to win their support.

Mick Freer, of the Halesowen Abbey Trust, has written to St Modwen warning homes would ruin the wedge for recreational use.

Between 1987 and 1997 the Trust made major improvements to the land which had previously been used as a tip.

"We put 2,500 man hours into it over that 10-year period," he said.

"In total we spent more than £16,000. We restored the public footpath network, planted 10,000 trees and erected the bridge over the canal which had been demolished in the Second World War. We have other land in the area that is more suitable."

Ian Romano, senior development surveyor at St Modwen, said: "We are doing no more at this stage other than considering our options for the Halesowen area. We have received a number of approaches for different uses on the Coombs Wood Green Wedge, but remain committed to enhancing it for residents."