A PUBLIC meeting has been organised by campaigners fighting the controversial proposals for almost 500 homes off Whitford Road.
The get-together, organised by campaign group Whitford Vale Voice (WVV) and local councillors, will take place at Millfield Social Club at 7.15pm on Thursday (January 19) to discuss the implications of the application.
We reported last week that developers Catesby Estates Limited and Miller Homes Limited had submitted a two-part outline planning proposal.
Part A (Whitford Road) would see 490 homes, two new accesses onto Whitford Road, public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage.
Part B (Albert Road) proposes the demolition of the Greyhound pub, 15 homes, new priority access onto Albert Road, landscaping and sustainable drainage.
And although the official closing date for the consultation on the proposals is Monday (January 16), Bromsgrove District Council will accept comments right up until the application goes before the planning committee, which is anticipated will be in the spring.
The plans were thrown out by Bromsgrove District Council in 2014 so the developer took the case to the High Court which upheld the authority’s decision.
Now they have submitted another application but, campaigners say, the new plans do nothing to address residents’ concerns, such as road congestion and insufficient infrastructure.
Bob Stather, one resident who wrote to us this week, said: “The main issues were based on the fact Whitford Road is already experiencing heavy congestion at peak times, has many narrow sections and no footpath or lighting.
“The developer has resubmitted this proposal but it does not address these problems.
“Part B of the proposal is to demolish the Greyhound pub at the junction of Fox Lane and Rock Hill to provide 15 homes and a roundabout.
“This would improve access to and from Fox Lane/Whitford Road, at the expense of traffic coming from the town.
“The pedestrian crossing lights would be relocated and it may also be necessary to re-site bus stops and the post box if this proposal is agreed.
“The future of the shop may also be in jeopardy.”
Coun Luke Mallett, who has also campaigned tirelessly to fight the application, said “I’d urge local residents to get along to the public meeting and to get their objections into the local council.
“These developments would likely lead to traffic gridlock as yet again the councils are not properly considering the traffic implications on our already gridlocked roads.
“Whitford Vale Voice is a local campaigning organisation, which has consistently and successfully stood up for the local community against big developers and the failures of the council’s planning and highways strategies.”
Those wanting to object should send their views to Dale Birch at Bromsgrove District Council by visiting www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control and clicking ‘view and comment on planning applications’.
