“THIS is not passion – it’s anger. We are very angry about this.” – that’s what residents of Winyates Green said at the town hall on Wednesday as Borough Council chiefs voted on the Redditch Eastern Gateway plans.
The proposals for 78 hectare site off Gorcott Hill and the A435 has caused a storm of protest from residents of Winyates Green, Mappleborough Green, Studley and Sambourne who will have to live with the consequences of the development.
And this continued as the hybrid planning application for the site was debated by Redditch’s planning committee at the Town Hall on Wednesday (December 13).
Only a small slice of land on the proposed site actually falls within Redditch – around two per cent according to committee chair Councillor Andy Fry – but it was required to consider 100 per cent of the plans, which cover land larger than 50 football pitches.
Four speakers opposing the development were given a total of just 10 minutes to raise issues, including the impact of air pollution and road safety for children if more juggernauts were allowed in the area.
Anger and disgust from the public gallery at a perceived lack of care and “sticking plaster” solutions were also directed at planners before discussions began.
Coun Michael Chalk (Con, Abbey) grilled officers for more details, including whether they could guarantee that clients would not build 21 metre tall structures at the very edge of boundaries, how run-off water and pollution might impact on the nearby Ipsley Marsh, and when potentially chaotic changes to road infrastructure were likely to be made.
His continual quizzing was met with applause from speakers and from concerned members of the public.
In contrast, when Coun Yvonne Smith (Lab, Winyates) voiced her confidence in the employment opportunities the development would bring, she was showered with shouts and jeers from the public.
“You ought be ashamed,” said one resident.
“What about the safety of our children?” called another.
Coun Chalk suggested they defer the decision, as Stratford planners had done, until more detail was provided and more questions answered.
The decision by Stratford planners on December 7, came two days after Bromsgrove planners cheerfully gave the scheme the thumbs up.
Unlike their Bromsgrove counterparts, Stratford councillors were alarmed at the lack of detail in the routing plan for juggernauts leaving the site, the traffic flows of commuters working there, and the domineering height of the 21 metre high warehouses.
However, chairman of Planning, Coun Andy Fry said; “I think the fact these plans have already gone before Stratford and Bromsgrove is advantageous to us.
“We will be provided with all the same, new information that Stratford requested so it does not make sense for us to also defer. I instead propose we vote to delegate to the head of services. “
Residents and speakers stormed out of the meeting as councillors then voted in support of this motion – to grant the development, subject to Head of Planning and Chairman of the Planning Committee checking the legal documents and finer details.
Residents reconvened in the foyer, furiously discussing what the decision would mean for them and their tireless campaigning against the £85million project.
“We’re not going to stop fighting,”said Winyates Green resident, Chris Eddon.
“If approved, these plans will mean more pollution, more traffic and more noise. We’re not giving up without a fight.”
The scheme must gain approval from all three councils to be given full permission.
The potential site could see up to 2,500 jobs created amid almost one million square feet of new office and industrial space.
