Housing plan rejection 'should be respected'

A public inquiry into the developer's appeal began at Redditch's Woodrow Centre earlier

A decision to reject plans for 200 homes on the outskirts of Redditch should be "respected", a public inquiry has heard.

Housebuilders Barratt David Wilson Homes wanted to develop part of the town's Abbey Golf Club and nearby countryside.

However, the proposals received hundreds of objections from residents and Redditch Borough Council threw out the application last year.

The developers launched an appeal and a four-day inquiry began earlier at the the Woodrow Centre.

Speaking at the meeting, Mark Jacobs from residents' campaign group, North Redditch Communities Alliance, said the group was not opposed to the development.

However, he said it should be "part of a local process that is within the control of the elected members".

"It was a unanimous decision [to reject it] and I think that has to be respected," he said.

Developers Barratt David Wilson Homes want to build 214 homes next to the Hither Green Lane estate

The planning application sought to build 214 homes - including 66 affordable properties - on land to the west of Hither Green Lane.

The majority of the land is designated as open space in Redditch's local plan, a blueprint for development created by the local authority.

It would also bring in £5m of investment to the area, the developers said.

But despite being recommended for approval, the planning committee unanimously rejected the plans in March, citing that there was already adequate future housing land allocated.

Angela Dixon said the loss of green space was a "key concern"

Commenting on the decision, Mr Jacobs told the inquiry: "Redditch has a robust plan… This application is not part of that."

Resident Angela Dixon, who lives near the development site, raised further concerns at the meeting that the potential loss of green space was a "key concern" for residents.

"This development will sever the green corridor linking Arrow Valley country park to the open countryside."

Mark Jacobs is the chairman of campaign group North Redditch Communities Alliance

The inquiry is expected to last four days and a decision by independent inspector Darren Hendley is expected in March.

A planning case officer from the council is at the inquiry but it said in a statement it was not in the public interest to "spend thousands of pounds of public money on a planning barrister and consultant" to fight the appeal.