HUNDREDS of Bromsgrove residents are expected to stage a peaceful march in opposition of the town’s strategy for future development this month.
On August 28 at 6pm, local residents are set to meet in Sanders Park to ‘raise awareness of widespread concerns’ regarding the Bromsgrove District Local Plan Draft Development Strategy.
Participants in the event, organised by Bromsgrove Voices, are specifically calling attention to the significant green belt losses, lack of infrastructure planning, and the absence of alternative growth options presented to the public within the plan.
Under the proposals, 21 potential housing sites are identified from 400 developer-suggested locations, based on sustainability and infrastructure.
Of the proposed sites, a third of future homes would be built in Bromsgrove (1,300 properties). Another third would be spread across Barnt Green, Catshill, Wythall, Alvechurch, Hagley, and Stoke Prior, with each allocated 340 to 600 homes.
And the final third, around 3,000 homes, would be a single large site in Frankley, adjoining Birmingham.
Those involved in the march plan to walk and express their discontent ‘peacefully’, concluding their demonstration at Parkside – home of Bromsgrove District Council’s chambers – at around 7.30pm.
Organisers say the purpose of the walk is to peacefully express opposition to developments on green belt, to highlight concerns over traffic, school, GP and transport infrastructure, to call for transparency and real community input, and meaningful alternatives in planning decisions.
This is branded as a non-political event open to all Bromsgrove residents. Organisers expect between 50 to 300 attendees, including families, long-term residents, and local campaigners.
A spokesperson for Bromsgrove Voices told the Standard: “This event is about giving local residents a voice.
“The community feels deeply let down by a consultation process that offers no real choice and threatens to remove significant areas of our Green Belt – without proper infrastructure or transparency.
“We’re walking together to peacefully show that this is not fair. We care about where we live and we want a say in how it develops.
“This isn’t about politics – it’s about protecting what matters to our families, villages and future generations.”
