A PLANNING application has been submitted for up to 85 homes to be built on green belt land in Lickey End.
The application for land at Alcester Road has been submitted to Bromsgrove District Council by Mac Mic Strategic Land Limited.
Public open space, play areas, landscaping, a sustainable drainage system, and access from the highway have also been proposed as part of the application.
Of the 85 homes proposed, at least 50 per cent of them would be affordable housing.
The site lies to the south of existing homes off School Lane and Alcester Road, and it is close to the A38 Birmingham Road and the Lickey End Recreation Ground.
The land is currently fields with hedgerows, trees and a public right of way running through it.
The applicants have committed to preserving the existing public rights of way through the site.
The Site is currently within the Bromsgrove Green Belt.
The proposals have been brought forward under the Government’s ‘Grey Belt’ route, which allows for sites within the Green Belt that are already influenced by development, or do not strongly contribute to the purposes of the Green Belt, to be released for new housing.
Planners argue that, to tackle the housing crisis, national planning policy allows the Green Belt to be suitable for new homes where it can deliver clear public benefits.
The homes would be limited to the northern areas of the site, next to the existing properties, to create a natural extension to the settlement and to avoid areas at risk of river flooding.
The development would be arranged into a series of perimeter blocks, which would create private rear gardens and frontages which look out onto streets and public spaces.
Planning documents claim the development would be safe and accessible for all.
The documents, prepared on behalf of the applicants, added: “The proposed scheme would not bring about any adverse impacts that significantly and demonstrably outweigh the identified benefits, which are numerous and tangible.
“It will deliver significant benefits across the different aspects of sustainable development.
“Importantly, Bromsgrove Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply with a very substantial shortfall. On this basis, the presumption in favour of sustainable development should be applied.
“We are therefore of the view that planning permission should be granted for the Proposed Development, securing the delivery of much-needed residential development.”
Visit Bromsgrove District Council’s planning portal and search for application reference 26/00015/OUT for more information and to have your say.
