THE Neighbourhood Plan for Alvechurch has received the overwhelming support of local residents.
An amazing 97 per cent of villagers said yes to the plan in a public referendum which will guide future developments in the parish up to the year 2030.
The Plan, six years in the making last year underwent rigorous scrutiny by an independent planning examiner who praised its content.
Local people went to the polls last Thursday to vote in the referendum which had a simple Yes / No question and the result represents a massive thumbs-up from the Alvechurch Parish community.
Of 1,629 votes cast, 1,575 were in support with only 54 against.
The turnout was more than 36 per cent, a figure significantly higher than in local elections.
The Plan with its 28 policies will now be legally adopted as part of the local planning framework.
The Neighbourhood Plan is the first to be successfully completed and adopted in Bromsgrove District and shows that communities like Alvechurch, Hopwood and Rowney Green will embrace future housing growth which is sustainable, meets local needs and doesn’t harm the surrounding environment.
Adrian Smith who chaired the Plan’s steering group said: “It just shows that local people are looking for protection to make sure the housing that comes to Alvechurch is going to be in the right place, is not going to be out of character and meets the needs of the local people.”
Parish Council chairman, Andy Humphries said: “This vote is a fantastic endorsement by local people of all the hard work that’s gone into the plan and the strong message it sends to developers who often want the easy pickings of building on greenfield land.”
All eyes will now turn to Bromsgrove District Council where the Plan will be formally adopted in Cabinet.
The district is currently undergoing a review of its Green Belt and housing needs and only then will Alvechurch know how many houses it can expect to be built in the parish but with the Plan in place it can ensure the look and location of them.
