Residents face fresh fight to protect green space

Claudette Charley and her husband Brian were among those preparing for another local protest

Residents have vowed to fight plans to build 58 homes on a wildlife corridor in Oldbury, in the West Midlands.

The century-old green space behind Titford Road is home to badgers, foxes and many species of birds.

But it has long been eyed-up by developers and neighbours say it is being targeted for the second time in four years.

Developer Countryside promised to work with worried residents and said its proposal would address a need for affordable housing.

In 2019, campaigners won what was dubbed a "David and Goliath battle" to stop warehouses being built on the land. It prompted Sandwell Council to reject the idea.

Now, many of those who united to oppose that application have taken up the fight again, raising concerns about wildlife, privacy and congestion.

Residents who live on Titford Road in Oldbury say they will fight the latest plans

Ben and Dawn Bishop, who live in a bungalow that directly backs on to the 1.9 hectare (4.7 acre) plot of land, said they were fearful of what it would mean for them.

"It's going to destroy our lives," Ms Bishop claimed, adding she was concerned about the volume of construction traffic.

"When that's finished we're going to have a constant stream of traffic past our windows," she said.

"We're not going to have any privacy at all."

The land can be seen behind houses on the street

Amanda Newton and Phil Shakespeare claimed the project would destroy much of the wildlife corridor behind their home, which also blocks noise from the nearby M5.

"They're not thinking about anything but the money," Ms Newton said.

Amanda Newton and Phil Shakespeare claimed the project would destroy much of the wildlife corridor

Fellow resident Claudette Charley urged the council to consider the lack of green space in the area and said she feared there would be nothing left for the future.

"This is the third time we've had a fight on our hands to get this sorted and put right," she said.

"We shouldn't have to keep doing this. It's been going on for a good many years."

'Significant' housing shortage

The application submitted by Countryside Partnerships said at least seven trees would need to be cut down.

But a spokesperson promised the scheme would retain a watercourse, create a green buffer with native species and plant replacement saplings.

The company added the site currently had no public access and had been designated for development by the local council.

An additional consultation event will be held following concerns

"The scheme would help to bridge the significant housing shortage in the area," a spokesperson said.

"We recognise the importance of protecting wildlife and ecology and have engaged a team of ecologists to conduct a full suite of surveys which have informed the development proposals."

Residents were given until 24 January to formally share their views on the application.

Countryside said an additional consultation event would be held in February following the concerns.