Residents voice objections to homes

Campaigners fighting a controversial development which would massively increase the size of Featherstone have turned out at a public inquiry to voice their objections.

Concerned residents and councillors stood up to have their say against the scheme for a giant park and ride scheme and up to 1,000 houses, a doctors’ surgery and other facilities which had been earmarked for part pre-developed and part green belt land in the village.

Government inspector Simon Emerson will hear evidence for and against the scheme over the next three weeks before passing his findings on to the government, who will make the final decision over whether the plans will be given the go ahead.

But he will have been left in no doubt about the feelings of some residents and councillors over the proposals who outlined their position on the first day of the inquiry yesterday.

Among them was Featherstone resident Margaret Goodwin, who told the hearing: “We can’t get out of our houses without traffic problems, and we cannot sit in our garden without hearing traffic and we do not have the luxury of being able to open our front windows.”

And the chairman of Featherstone and Brinsford Parish Council, Councillor Frank Beadsmore, added: “It has been mentioned that more facilities are needed for the village, but do we have to put up with up to 1,000 houses to get it? The answer is no.”

Former parish councillor and Featherstone resident John Brindle told the hearing he was worried about potential flooding concerns on part of the land.

Lena Holmes, from Brewood and Coven Council, said: “The amount of housing is un-sustainable and there is also the issue about the impact on the roads.

“If there is a motorway accident you can’t move in any direction, the traffic issue is a real problem.”

And Fred Barrett, from Coven Heath Community Association, added that he felt people in the village had not been asked for their say even though an essential link road for the scheme would have a “devastating impact” on residents’ lives.

County and district councillors also stood up to voice their worries about the proposals.

Wolverhampton Council has also voiced its concerns about the housing aspects of the scheme, claiming planning guidelines state such developments should be in larger areas such as the Black Country.

Taylor Woodrow Developments and BAE system, who are behind the controversial plans, argue that more housing is needed in the area which means the strict rules governing development on the green belt can be overlooked.