CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 80 new homes in Webheath were given the green light by council planners on Wednesday (August 10).
The decision follows the go ahead for 200 houses after a long campaign to stop developers building on largely agricultural land off Church Road.
Councillor Tom Baker-Price (Con, Headless Cross & Oakenshaw) proposed rejecting the scheme, which was seconded, but when a counter proposal to approve the plan was put forward this was carried by three votes.
A large number of local residents had attended the meeting and applauded the two councillors who raised concerns opposing the project.
Prior to the vote, local resident Andrew Warby, County Councillor Graham Vickery (Lab, Redditch North) and David Rose, chairman of the Webheath Action Group, had each spoken objecting to the plans.
“The most compelling reason not to build these houses in Webheath is because of the poor, narrow lanes and roads,” said Mr Rose.
“Residents are concerned that hundreds if not thousands of additional vehicles – including buses and large lorries- will increase probability of driver and pedestrian accidents culminating in death or serious injury.”
Speaking afterwards, he added: “Few of our questions were addressed at the meeting and I feel they ignored our concerns.”
A representative officer from County Council Highways outlined the extensive checks and tests that have been carried out in the area, including Foxlydiate Lane and Healthfield Road and reiterated that Highways had no safety concerns with regards to the proposed application.
The Webheath and Bentley area is the site chosen for some 2,800 new homes, the subject of a public consultation which is currently underway.
