PROTESTERS fighting against plans to put 3,400 new homes at land by Webheath and Bentley village have produced a video showing the wide green acres of ancient farmland that will be swallowed up by the proposed development.
Shot from a drone, it shows the latest battleground in the fight, the close proximity of the houses to Norgrove Court, Redditch’s only Grade 1 listed building, built in 1649.
David Rose, chairman of the Webheath Action Group (WAG) which is fighting the plans said: “It’s an historic site on the Monarch’s Way footpath with fishing ponds and sitting in beautiful countryside.
“Redditch borough planners disprove of building anywhere near a Grade II listed building like Hewell Grange, not just no building within two or three kilometres, but four or five, yet with Grade I listed Norgrove Hall the development will be within 650 metres.”
However efforts to enlist the help of Historic England have failed to stir any objections from that body which has fallen in with the council’s appraisal of the site to build in the locality.
WAG are also concerned at an additional 200 new homes which have been approved off Pumphouse Lane and which will be built on medieval ridge and furrow fields.
Furthermore there are proposals for a further 80 new homes on three sites off Church Road. A public consultation on this development is being held at Webheath Village Hall on Heathfield Road between 2pm and 7pm on Monday, February 22. Anyone who can’t make it can email their comments to [email protected] .
“All this piecemeal development is a concern,” said Mr Rose. “We do not mind making our contribution to meeting the housing needs for Redditch as the population grows, but 3,400 houses is having a laugh really.”
To see the video visit www.redditchstandard.co.uk or tap in
https://youtu.be/AXyBgDA7-oA .
