Residents push back against Dudley greenbelt plans over wildlife concerns
Residents in Dudley say a planned housing estate on greenfield land will destroy wildlife.
Following an application by Elan Homes Limited, dozens took to the Dudley Council Planning portal to vent their anger- including a nine-year-old boy.
If successful, plans would see a plot of greenfield land between The Straits and Majors Fold in Gornal transformed into 14 homes.
Developers say the site has been designated as a ‘Housing Proposal Site’ in the Dudley Local Plan but residents say it completely ignores Dudley’s ‘brownfield first’ strategy.
They say they are now terrified that it will be the area’s wildlife that will suffer for the development. James Kitchin, who lives on the estate, said: “The destruction of habitats and the homes of wildlife will scare the animals away.
“Not to mention a single access road will lead to increased traffic congestion and an influx of 60 more people will increase pressure on already stretched services such as schools, hospitals etc.”
In total 36 people have registered an objection to the council including a nine-year-old boy who said he didn’t want to grow up in a world without greenbelt.
The boy said: “I am nine years old and I want to tell you how I feel about the plan to build a housing estate on a field close to where my family live. I am very lucky to live in an area with lots of green space and wildlife.
“The birds, badgers, foxes, insects and bats and lots more already have a habitat that you would want to build. You will push them out of their land.
“Where will they go if houses are being built on greenbelt? I thought that brownfield sites come first. There are so many in the area, use them! I don’t want to grow up and lose greenfields to housing.
“The roads are busy enough and hard to cross and more houses means more traffic which means more roads to cross and more danger as well as more pollution. You’re creating a worse place to live and I don’t want that.”
The developer says both three and four-bedroom homes would be provided if the plans are successful- including associated access, parking and landscaping. A representative for Elan Homes Limited said: “In summary, the development proposal would provide a new, high quality, residential development that makes better use of a vacant site and its sustainable location.
“A scheme which enhances the townscape visually, as well as introducing activity and vitality to an unused site and its wider context as well as new quality living accommodation that respects the setting, meets local needs and will be a welcome addition to the housing stock.
“These units also take into account the housing needs of the local area and will serve to enliven and strengthen the existing community as well as provide protection and improvement to the amenity of neighbouring residents.”
