THE PARISH council in Catshill has formally objected to Bromsgrove District Council’s draft development strategy which sets out proposals for future planning in the town and its villages.
Catshill and North Marlbrook Parish Council submitted a formal objection to Bromsgrove District Council’s Draft Development Strategy raising serious concerns over proposals that appear to conflict with the villages already legally adopted neighbourhood plan.
Bromsgrove District Council’s draft strategy outlines how local plans could meet Government-set growth targets, including 9,000 new homes by 2043 and the infrastructure to support them.
It identifies 21 potential housing sites, selected from 400 developer-suggested locations, based on sustainability and infrastructure.
Of the proposed sites, just under a third of the future homes are in Bromsgrove. Another third are spread across Barnt Green, Catshill, Wythall, Alvechurch, Hagley, and Stoke Prior, with each allocated 340–600 homes.
And the final third, around 3,000 homes, is a single large site in Frankley, adjoining Birmingham.
The Catshill and Marlbrook Neighbourhood Plan, which was formally adopted on 3rd November 2021 sets out a locally agreed vision for development in the area.
The parish council argues this plan holds statutory weight and should take precedence where conflicts arise with non-strategic policies in the wider local plan.
In its objection, the council made requests for the neighbourhood plan’s legal precedence to be recognised and asked whether the plan was considered when Bromsgrove District Council drafted its development plan.
Catshill and Marlbrook Parish Council also asked for constructive engagement to address and resolve policy conflicts.
A spokesperson for the parish council said: ” “Our community worked hard to create a Neighbourhood Plan that reflects local priorities and aspirations. It is both disappointing and concerning to see development proposals brought forward that appear to disregard this statutory plan.
“We are calling on Bromsgrove District Council to respect national planning policy and engage meaningfully with us to find a constructive way forward.”
Prior to the parish council’s formal objection, Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas – who is heavily against the development of the town’s greenbelt land – met with residents in Catshill who have also expressed their concerns.
Bromsgrove District Council’s public consultation on the plans runs until September 22. Drop-in sessions are being held across the district for residents to learn more.
Visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/BromsgrovePlan or libraries across the district for more details.
