175 Hagley Hall homes approved in spite of objections
Plans for 175 homes on the Hagley Hall estate have been approved despite opposition from residents who feared it would put pressure on vital services.
Controversial proposals for the development, earmarked for land on the estate near Stourbridge, had attracted fierce opposition, including a petition signed by more than 4,000 people.
More than 100 residents packed into the council chamber to hear Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee's debate last night. Council officials recommended approval of the scheme.
Among those who criticised the Cala Homes proposal was Rachel Jenkins, who was speaking on behalf of the Hagley Residents' Action Group.
She said services in the village, including the primary school and doctors surgery, would be stretched beyond "breaking point" by the influx of new residents.
Many people feared the new development would be cut off from the village, she told the committee. "The new remote community, dropped on to the outskirts of Hagley, will not be cohesive with Hagley," she said.
Other concerns included the potential increase in traffic and the safety of planned changes to the A491 and A456 roundabout to accommodate a new access road to the development.
But councillors said the development abided by planning rules and no objections had been lodged by the highways officers. Councillor John Tidmarsh said:?"If the people of Hagley want to ensure their sons and daughters have the opportunity to live in this delightful place, then they're going to have to accept change."
Councillor Rod Laight said he was concerned the new access road, changes to the roundabout and proposed crossings could put people's safety at risk.
Michael Robson, for Cala Homes, said the site had been considered appropriate for residential development for the past 25 years.
