BROMSGROVE’S MP has launched a parliamentary petition to demand the Government justifies its formula used to calculate the huge increase of 85 per cent in the town’s housing target.
Bradley Thomas MP’s call comes in the wake of the publication of Bromsgrove District Council’s Draft Local Plan which has had to be revised to factor in the Government’s forced target increase.
The MP believes the targets should be rebalanced, with Birmingham taking its fair share of housing across the Worcestershire border. While Bromsgrove’s targets were increased, Birmingham’s has been reduced considerably.
Mr Thomas said: “It also just doesn’t make sense that our target has been increased when the Government has reduced Birmingham’s target by 31 per cent.
“The city has at least 140 hectares of brownfield sites to build on. They should build on those sites before coming after our precious greenbelt.”
The changes mean Bromsgrove District Council will be expected to build over 12,000 more houses between 2030 and 2043. The Bromsgrove MP’s concerns come from his districts large amounts of green belt land (89 per cent), with the new plan setting out proposals for over 9,000 homes. Of those homes, the majority will be built on land in Frankley (3,000) and on land surrounding the town centre (2,570).
The rest will be built in Bromsgrove villages including Alvechurch (500), Barnt Green (340), Hagley (530), Catshill (605), Stoke Prior (500) and Wythall (1235) for a combined total of 9,280 new properties.
A map detailing the locations within the Bromsgrove boundary shows a small concentration of the region’s green belt land at risk.
Mr Thomas added: “I was elected last year with a mandate to fight to protect the greenbelt and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.
“Our greenbelt is under assault and we’re now seeing the true impact of the Government’s 85% increase in the mandatory housing target for Bromsgrove.
“If you’re as aggrieved as I am by how the Government has treated our constituency, then please do sign my petition so we can put pressure on Ministers to come to the House of Commons to justify their decisions.”
“It’s just wrong that this is being imposed on us when the formula the Government used to calculate our local housing need is flawed.”
The plan is now subject to a 12-week consultation which seeks residents views on the proposals. Bromsgrove District Council is hosting a string of drop-in session to help members of the public learn more and have their say.
A drop-in session between 4pm and 8pm this Thursday (July 17) at Parkside is the first. Further sessions will then take place Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Catshill, Hagley, Rubery, and Wythall over the consultation period.
Visit https://www.bradleythomas.org.uk/campaigns/protecting-our-greenbelt for more information on Mr Thomas’ petition.
Visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/BromsgrovePlan or go to your local library for more information on the plans.
Email [email protected] or call 01527 881211 for queries.
