A RALLYING call has been issued for people to have their say on a controversial proposal to build 1,450 properties in Cofton Hackett.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion has been submitted for The Groveley Garden Village development by St Modwen Homes and the Bournville Village Trust (BVT).
An Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion is used by potential developers to ‘test the water’ and analyse the effect a development would have on an area.
As well as the new homes, it also proposes a local centre, primary school, destination park, open space, landscaping and other associated infrastructure.
The site, currently used for agriculture, is on land in between Groveley Lane, Nuthurst Road, Longbridge Lane, Birmingham Road and Upper Bittell Reservoir in Barnt Green.
Those opposed to the scheme have garnered support through Facebook and on a WhatsApp group and contacted Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas.
One resident, Ricky Oberheim, said it stated in the outline planning document it would take 15 years to complete.
“This is no small development and it is definitely not a welcome one.
“This will effectively cede the land above Upper Bittel Reservoir into Birmingham.
“Whilst there may be electoral constituency boundaries, this will begin the process of assimilating that land into Greater Birmingham – completely thwarting the purpose of the green belt.
“The noise pollution, destruction of ecological spaces and animal habitats, disturbance to all residents in the vicinity and the emotional distress to those who cherish that land, would be drawn out torturously over at least a decade and a half.
“I, and many others, are utterly appalled at this shameless, brazen attempt to destroy the green belt.”
He added as per Bromsgrove District Council’s own assessments in 2019, the parcel of land was one of the authority’s top three pieces of green belt land.
Mr Thomas, who recently spoke to residents at Bittel Reservoir about co-ordinating opposition, said: “I wasn’t surprised to see these proposals given this Government has essentially given a green light to housebuilding on our green belt after increasing Bromsgrove’s housebuilding target by 84.7 per cent.
“Whilst no planning application has yet been formally submitted, I’m standing with residents in the fight to stop the Groveley Garden Village.
“We’re already working together to ensure this precious green belt land is not lost to become an extension of Birmingham.”
In a survey conducted by Mr Thomas, 96 per cent of the 690 respondents opposed the Groveley Garden Village.
A spokesperson for St Modwen Homes and the BVT said they were in the very early stages of exploring how the land at Groveley could be used in the future, including its potential as a new garden village.
“As part of this, an initial enquiry was made to Bromsgrove District Council to get their views on what they require to be covered in a full environmental assessment of the site.
“No planning application has been submitted and there are no immediate plans to do so. If that were to change we would of course actively consult with the local community in preparing any proposals.”
