ALMOST 300 people staged a peaceful protest march through Bromsgrove against building housing on the green belt.
The march, organised by Bromsgrove Voices, was aimed at ‘raising awareness of widespread concerns’ regarding the Bromsgrove District Local Plan Draft Development Strategy.
England flags were waved with ‘Bromsgrove’ down the centre of the George Cross and ‘Save Our Green Belt’ emblazoned on the four white sections. Other protestors wore ‘Save our Town’ t-shirts and placards included ‘Protect Our Future’, ‘Protect out green belt’ and ‘No to 9,000 homes on our green belt’.
Among the fears were a lack of infrastructure, increased traffic and the absence of alternative growth options presented to the public within the plan.
Almost 300 protestors attended the march. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
After meeting in Sanders Park, the group snaked their way along Kidderminster Road, St John Street, and the Birmingham Road before arriving at the Council House on Stourbridge Road. There, the latest consultation event for the development strategy was being held.
People went in to have their say on the proposal sites and there was plenty of debate inside and outside about the issues.
Philip Ganner from Rock Hill told the Standard: “It’s simple. They are going to add extra homes with no extra facilities – no extra GP surgeries, no extra schools, no extra police or fire provision.
“The roads are a nightmare – it can take an hour to get from one end of the town to the other sometimes because of the congestion.
“They’ve just got no consideration for those of us who are already living here – they’ve decimated the High Street.
“We moved here 30 years ago into homes which were built on brownfield sites but now they want to destroy the green belt for housing. It’s ridiculous.”
Gary Martin from Belbroughton with Philip and Sue Ganner from Rock Hill and Mia the dog. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
Gary Martin, from Belbroughton, added: “There is a population growth, we know that. But all these plans have been put forward without asking anyone.”
Donna Westwood, who organised the march with Bromsgrove Voices, said: “I thought the turn-out was fabulous.
“It goes to show how many people are unhappy with these plans.
“The amount of drivers beeping in support was encouraging as well – it’s indicative of the plan and the consultation.
“What the council needs to do is go back to the drawing board.”
The crowds gathered outside Bromsgrove Council House at Parkside. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
She said brownfield sites – on the former fire station and council offices and near Asda had not even been mentioned to take some of the housing.
And she criticised the council for being ‘too compliant’.
“We wanted to see the council push back central government more – they said we need 9,000 homes and it was if the council just said: ‘okay we’ll put forward some sites.
“No-one has asked why Bromsgrove is being asked to take 85 per cent extra in the number of homes needed and Birmingham should take 20 per cent less than its original allocation.
“Our MP (Bradley Thomas) stood up in Parliament to contest it and the Labour Government just said in response it was proud it would be able to deliver 1.4million extra homes.
“We accept we need housing but not on green belt land – there needs to be an England-wide assessment of brownfield sites so they can take as much of the properties as possible.
“If this is a locally-led plan, then the council needs to lead the way – don’t hand 9,000 homes to the government on a plate and make it easy – the district needs to push back.”
The Standard has requested comment from Bromsgrove District Council about the points made and is awaiting response.
Previously Bromsgrove District Council leader, Coun Karen May, has urged all residents to come forward and have their say.
She said if people feel there is not enough infrastructure, such as insufficient school places, GP surgeries and other amenities, these need to be expressed via the consultation so views could be considered.
Previously, it has been stated, Bromsgrove district is made up of 89 per cent green belt land – one of the largest in the country.
People had their say inside the Council House by filling in the consultation. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media Group Ltd.
Earlier today, the Standard reported on Bromsgrove parents’ frustrations about a lack of high school provision in the town with pupils needing to go to Rubery’s Waseley Hills High School because there are not enough places.
The Bromsgrove District Local Plan Draft Development Strategy
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.
People have until September 22 to have their say. Click here to view the proposals and comment on them.
