600 sign petition against building homes on farmland

Proposals were unveiled last month to redevelop the site of riding stables and a riding school on Foxhills Farm, Barr Beacon.

Under the plans, the buildings would be knocked down and replaced with four houses.

Original plans were rejected by the council on the grounds that they would not be suitable for green belt land.

However, a new application has now been submitted by Kingscliffe Property Company, with amendments made so the site would be less visible to passers by.

A petition titled 'stop houses being built by our Barr Beacon and Forest Of Mercia' has been set up on change.org and attracted 610 signatures so far.

Laura Thomas, who started the petition, said: "The planning has been refused once, don't allow Barr Beacon to be destroyed with houses.

"We needs all local resident to please back the objections to the reject the amended plans as extra trees don't stop the rejection point of "worse impact on the openness of the green belt area.

"If they get the planning there is lots of fields along the Beacon road which will also be able to get planning permission for houses, there will be no protection for the Barr Beacon area."

At a planning meeting on March 3, Walsall Council bosses rejected the plans on the grounds that they would have a worse impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing stables.

It was also claimed that the homes would be visible from Barr Beacon and therefore did not fit in with the view from the beauty spot.

Councillor Chris Towe, who represents the Pheasey Park ward where Barr Beacon is situated, sent: "If this is what the residents want then I will support them all the way.

"Councillor Adrian Andrew has already spoken out against these plans at the last meeting where they were discussed, so we already have some momentum in opposition.

"In a way it is a shame, because we have a need for more housing in the area and all over the borough.

"However, when plans are put forward proposing houses will be built in green belt land there is always a problem.

"It is positive to see because it shows people have a passion for their area and preserving it.

"600 signatures is a huge amount and the voices of these people will be heard going forward.

"I give my backing to the community and all of those who are against this plan.

Kingscliffe Property Company could not be contacted for a comment.