CONTROVERSIAL plans have been lodged for 47 homes on green belt land next to Belbroughton C of E Primary School.
Spitfire Homes has submitted a hybrid planning application to develop a 2.07-hectare parcel of land accessed from Bradford Lane.
This includes a full planning application for 46 homes and an outline planning application for one self-build plot.
Spitfire Homes has said 50 per cent of the homes built would be affordable and would include a mix of two, three, four and five bed properties.
Vehicle access to the site would be provided from Bradford Lane, while pedestrian access would link the northern edge of the site with the existing Public Right of Way north of the school.
The site lies within the Green Belt to the south of the village, with Belbroughton C of E Primary School nearby, immediately north-west of the site, and it is just beyond the boundary of the Belbroughton Conservation Area.
Many objections have been submitted to the plans.
One woman, whose children go to Belbroughton CofE primary school, said residents directly by the school already complain regularly about school traffic and parking and that the infrastructure, as it stands, would not cope with further housing.
Another woman added that there were already difficulties with larger vehicles, such as delivery vans and lorries, getting stuck on the school road.
She added: “Another concern would be the proximity of this development to the conservation area in Belbroughton.
“Up until now, development has been confined to smaller infill sites, which are more in keeping with the character of the village.
“This larger development so close to the church and historic centre would undermine the character of the conservation area.”
In planning documents, Spitfire said: “The vision is to create a high-quality, mixed tenure housing development that meets Local Authority requirements, delivers an integrated and sustainable neighbourhood, and reflects Belbroughton’s historic village character and settlement-edge location.
“The site has been carefully designed to fit around the school’s boundaries, ensuring privacy for the school and new and current residents.
“The design process has been informed by a detailed understanding of the local context, ensuring the development is sensitive to the character and heritage of Belbroughton and the surrounding conservation area.
“The design demonstrates a sensitive and contextual response to the local setting, aiming to deliver a high-quality, sustainable neighbourhood that enhances the surrounding area while providing a safe and secure environment for residents and visitors alike.
“A new pedestrian connection to an existing public footpath to the north supports and encourages active travel. In conclusion, this proposal aligns with all relevant planning policies relating to design – including those concerning scale, massing, height, privacy, amenity, connectivity, landscaping, and architectural character.”
