Pressure group will fight plan for Hagley homes

A pressure group has been formed to fight plans which could see up to 400 homes being built in Hagley, near Stourbridge.

The campaigners say the development would cause "catastrophic damage" to the area.

They will attempt to defeat Bromsgrove District Council's Core Strategy - a long term plan for the area's regeneration.

An eleven-strong group of parish councillors, residents and a specially-appointed planning consultant are drawing up a dossier of hundreds of objections.

A public meeting is planned soon and leaflets will go to hundreds of Hagley homes to lift support.

Fifty five acres is being opened up for potential development by the council.

The land, between Bromsgrove Road and Kidderminster Road, is designated as an Area of Development Restraint (ADR) since 2005, giving it the same protection as the green belt.

A district council report says the land, mainly fields, is only protected until the authority "decides to release it for development".

The strategy says Hagley is suitable for a minimum of 219 homes to be built there. Up to 400 homes may fit on the site.

Hagley Parish Council chairman Steve Colella said: "If the plans are allowed to go unchallenged it would bring catastrophic damage to the area.

"There has been no regard paid to the poor air quality already caused by in excess of 400,000 vehicles that use the A456 through Hagley every week.

"Neither has there been recognition of the already congested road network and schools and doctors who are already operating at their capacity."

He said the protest group hoped to draw up a dossier of objections similar to the 500-page document submitted in response to plans for a waste incinerator in Hartlebury.

The draft document will be put out for 12-weeks public consultation, before going to councillors for a final time with any amendments.

District Councillor Del Booth said: "A huge amount of work has already gone into these plans, which have been a long time in the making. I hope residents will take part in the consultation, as these plans will become a major influence on local planning policy for years to come."