A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 79 homes in Bewdley has been approved by the council's planning committee despite traffic concerns.
Developer Persimmon Homes applied to build new homes on land off Kidderminster Road, a site allocated for housing in the Wyre Forest District Local Plan.
A decision on the application was previously deferred for an up to date traffic assessment could be undertaken.
The planning application has received more than 230 objections on the Wyre Forest District Council website.
Back in September around 50 concerned residents lined Kidderminster Road with signs stating ‘Save our fields – backs against the wall’ to generate awareness about the proposals
The ‘Say No to Persimmon Bewdley’ group was set up, with residents raising concerns over the increase of traffic and the loss of green space.
At a meeting of Wyre Forest District Council's planning committee on Thursday (May 18), councillor John Byng, of the Wribbenhall ward, spoke on behalf of Kidderminster Road residents.
He said: “Once again they are concerned over the volume of traffic which will severely impact Kidderminster Road following completion of this proposed development.
“Between the hours of 7am and 7pm daily circa 20 vehicles per minute used this stretch of road. This number will clearly be significantly increased once the new housing development is completed.
“Even now it’s not uncommon to drive around the A456 island and immediately come to a halt due to the volume of traffic".
He added that residents are also extremely concerned about the pollution caused by extra traffic and the pressure on local schools and medical services.
Councillor Marcus Hart said: "We are of course plan led and this was a site that was allocated as part of the adopted local plan in April last year.
“I have huge sympathy for the local residents and in particular the 234 letters of objection and their concerns and comments.
“But regrettably we are where we are. There are comments such as ‘the site should remain within the green belt’. It’s out of the green belt and it’s an allocated site.
“As members of the planning committee, we have to consider the policies and the adopted plan that we have.
“So effectively, if I can use this turn of phrase, we have to make the best of a bad job. I didn’t support this site allocation but we are where we are”.
Responding to a comment on alternatively using brownfield sites for housing developments, councillor Hart added: "The reality is whether one builds on brownfield land or green belt or whatever, the car generations in reality are going to be the same".
Councillor Fran Oborski said: “Whichever of the two highways surveys you take into account, it's obvious there's not going to be a massive increase in traffic.
"Yes there’s going to be a traffic impact, but every single extra house you build anywhere is going to have an impact on traffic. I think that on balance this is one that we should accept”.
Councillors unanimously agreed to support the recommendation of delegated approval.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel