FURIOUS Webheath residents are considering calling for a judicial review after the plans to build 3,400 houses in the area were approved on Monday (January 30)
After years of delay, the borough’s local plan which will see thousands of homes being built from Webheath to Bentley village in Bromsgrove district, was voted in by members of the council in a meeting at the Town Hall on Monday night.
The decision came just hours after it was announced that Government housing minster Gavin Barwell (Con, Croydon Central) had refused to ‘call in’ the Local Plan for housing in the constituency, meaning the item – which includes the Webheath homes – would not be questioned by central Government.
Carried by a majority of one in a named vote – all 15 Labour councillors voting for and Tories and the one Ukip members against – the plan will now be adopted.
However, seconds after the vote was carried, the residents of Webheath in stood up in silent protest and turned their backs on the council.
“This is a disgraceful decision and I turn my back upon this council,” said one resident before walking out.
“I find this vote an uncaring and irresponsible action. I hope you will hang your heads in shame,” added another, calling out before Chairman of the meeting, Mayor Joe Baker, called for order.
David Rose, chairman of Webheath Action Group (WAG) said afterwards: “Redditch Borough Council has turned its back on the residents of Webheath, therefore we turned our backs on Full Council.
“We held one minute’s silence for the demise of Webheath.”
<b>Challenge</b>
Mr Rose is now calling for those against the plan to join him in challenging the council decision.: “These new housing developments will not solve the housing crisis and building affordable housing in the countryside far away from services and infrastructure is a joke.”
The WAG group is now considering the costs and implications of a judicial review as a last resort – and are calling on those in the know to help them get started.
“Our only hope now is a judicial review,” said Mr Rose. “We believe an injustice has been done, but as residents we do not have the resources to right this wrong. Please get in touch if you would like to help us.”
Retired or practising barristers and solicitors who would like to help assess their case can contact Dave at 18 Crumpfields Lane, Webheath Redditch, B97 5PN, call 01527 541470 or email [email protected]
