MP receives mayor's backing for green belt campaign
A campaign to protect the greenbelt in parts of the Black Country has been backed by Andy Street.
The West Midlands Mayor has vowed to protect the region's green field sites, securing £434 million in funding to ensure old industrial land can be developed first.
He has given his support to a campaign by Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb, who is battling to save historic countryside in her constituency.
She showed the Mayor around the Foxcote Farm site in Wollescote, which developers have earmarked for 1,500 homes under the Black Country Plan.
Ms Webb said: "The green belt in Stourbridge is a vital part of life for many people.
"I have long been campaigning for greenbelt protection and it is fantastic to have the support of Andy Street in this task."
Mr Street said: "We are determined to deliver brownfield first as our approach to meeting the need for much needed housing.
"Working with councils like Dudley and others in the Black Country we are delivering more and more brownfield sites which means we do not need to be touching vital green field sites like Foxcote Farm."
"I am sure we can protect sites like this from the threat of development."
The region's greenbelt has been under threat from development since council planners said parts of it would need to make way for 27,000 homes.
A review was launched earlier this year to establish a final list of sites which would most suitable for development.
