RESIDENTS have formed an action group to fight proposals to reallocate greenbelt land in Spennells for housing development as part of Wyre Forest District Council's Local Plan.

Spennells residents and other recreational users of the paths around the fields between the estate and Stanklyn Lane have formed the "Spennells Against Further Expansion" group.

The group have created a Facebook page 'Friends of Spennells Fields' to keep residents up to date with their fight against the proposals. They are also planning to leaflet and raise awareness in the local area and they will submit to the Local Plan review consultation as a group.

Resident Jeanette Hambrey said: "We understand that extra housing needs to be built in Wyre Forest, but there are brownfield sites and derelict buildings closer to our town centres that should be used first.

"Extending the Spennells estate will produce impossible pressure on services, traffic and schools here."

Fellow resident Doug Hine added: "This field is part of the best agricultural land in Wyre Forest, as we can see by the barley growing behind us today.

"The paths are a popular recreational and social facility for walkers, joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers and horse riders. These fields also provide environment benefits as a home to wildlife and positive local climate effects.

"We will work with local councillors and urge all residents and users of these fields to learn the facts and arguments around the issue and submit your comments and feedback to the council."

Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet was due to meet last night (June 14) and discuss the Local Plan. If the cabinet agree, a preferred options consultation is expected to begin today (June 15) for eight weeks - ending on August 14.

During the eight week public consultation, a number of exhibitions are expected to be held in Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley.

For more information, visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localplanreview.

The preferred options consultation is part of the process the district council has to follow to adopt a new Local Plan to replace the current one - which was adopted in 2013. The process began with a consultation in 2015 on the broad issues and opinions and will end when the Local Plan is adopted in early 2019.

All comments regarding the council's Local Plan can be sent via email to planning.policy@wyreforestdc.gov.uk, through the online portal on Wyre Forest District Council's website or by writing to the Planning Policy Team, Wyre Forest District Council, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF.