A DEVELOPER in Bromsgrove has come under fire after breaching planning regulations by moving awaiting tenants of a town centre development into their new homes before meeting certain developmental obligations.
Bellway Homes admitted to the Standard it had allowed over a dozen Whitford Heights properties to be occupied despite strict conditions to not do so, until the completion of certain works, were imposed by the Planning Inspectorate back in 2020.
Condition 25 of the application’s appeal determination said ‘no part of the development shall be occupied’ until a roundabout at the junction of Fox Lane and Rock Hill had been installed.
These works have yet to be completed, with the developer claiming its ability to carry out the works have been hampered by other nearby roadworks and a lack of permission from Worcestershire Highways to close the road.
Concerns around the potential breach were raised by Bromsgrove District councillor David Hopkins at a planning meeting on April 22.
At the meeting, Bellway sought an amendment to the condition to allow up to 49 homes to be occupied prior to the highway works being completed.
This is not the first time Bellway has sought to amend this condition to allow occupation of homes prior to the junction works. Last year, in June and October it brought similar amendments before the council.
Both were rejected due to congestion concerns in the locality, which has been part of a major blight on Bromsgrove residents for many years now.
The fresh amendment, in April 2025, was also rejected by the council’s planning committee but not before councillor David Hopkins accused Bellway of already moving residents into the development.
When the Standard put these accusations to the developer, Bellway admitted to allowing 13 homes to be occupied, all of which Bromsgrove District Council is aware of. The developer says these residents ‘would have had nowhere to live’ had they failed to honour agreements with them.
Bellway also said a further 13 families need to occupy their new homes ‘imminently’ or risk being homeless, while an additional 20 affordable homes are awaiting occupation but have been delayed due to this condition.
The developer said it remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to deliver the road improvements and says the impact of home occupation on traffic is ‘marginal’.
A spokesperson added: “Bellway is committed to working with communities, and to supporting our customers.
“On this occasion we are working to find the best way forward to balance the needs of both until such time as we can secure consent to carry out the roadworks.”
Bromsgrove District Council, when asked if it was investigating the potential breach, told the Standard: “Planning matters relating to the Whitford Road site remain under consideration.”
