'Deeply disappointed': Anger over plans to develop last parcel of untouched Black Country meadowland

Stourbridge’s MP has said she’s “deeply disappointed” to learn Dudley’s hospital trust plans to press ahead and sell off a much-loved meadow to a developer - just months after it was designated as green space to give it greater protection.

Campaigners had hoped Corbett Meadow would be safe for many years to come after it was officially designated as a green space, to give it greater protection from development, as part of the Dudley Local Plan which was approved in principle by a planning inspector in January.

It had been under threat previously as the landowner, the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, had been working with Charles Church, part of Persimmon Homes, with the aim of securing planning permission to build new homes on the meadow - the last parcel of undeveloped land in Amblecote.

A planning application to build 84 homes, however, was rejected in January 2023 and this was followed up by the designation of the meadow as green space earlier this year.

With spirits lifted as a result of the meadow’s new status, campaigners held a celebration of the life of philanthropist John Corbett who gifted the land to the people of Stourbridge back in 1893.

A peal of bells rang out on the afternoon of April 22 in remembrance of businessman and benefactor Mr Corbett, creator of the original Corbett Hospital, and his descendants gathered for a small church service to mark the 125th anniversary of his death.

Anne Millward-Baker, a great, great, great niece of John Corbett, said of the meadow: “It was left to the people of Amblecote, it should be kept that way.”

Just two days later, however, the Corbett Meadow Action Group shared news that the hospital trust intends to press ahead with selling off the land to its development partner.

The news has angered locals keen to see the meadow preserved in perpetuity.

Lance Cartwright, spokesperson for the action group, issued “an important and sobering update” on Facebook on Friday April 24.

He said: “Our joy and celebration is shrouded by the terms of a letter recently received by the West Midlands Mayor from the chairman and chief executive of the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust which, in response to the mayor’s enquiries following his visit to Corbett Meadow in February, states that the trust board has ‘formally approved entering into an option agreement with Persimmon Homes in relation to the sale of the land’.

Mr Cartwright said the letter continued: “For clarity, there is therefore no outstanding decision for the trust to take regarding whether the land should be sold. That decision has been made.”

And he added: “We wonder what John Corbett would think of this position, and of the fact that the NHS trust that has inherited his legacy was unable to formally represent the trust at the church opposite the hospital that bears his name when the bells were rung in his memory.

“The fight goes on.”

Stourbridge’s MP Cat Eccles expressed upset at the news.

She said: “I'm deeply disappointed that the Dudley NHS Trust is continuing with plans to work with Charles Church Homes to develop part of the Corbett Meadow.

“If they have explored all options as they say they have, then they should share that evidence with the public. As it stands neither I, the mayor, nor the action group believe all options have been explored or exhausted.”

She added that she and the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, have asked to meet with the trust to discuss the matter further “and resolve to keep the meadow for the people of Stourbridge, as John Corbett wanted”.

Former Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb, a supporter of the Corbett Meadow Action Group, said she was not surprised at the news and added that she blames the Labour government for opening the door to development on green spaces in a bid to “build, build and build, and to cover green open spaces with concrete in Stourbridge and across the country”.

Dudley Group chief executive Diane Wake said: “We recognise the strength of feeling locally about the Corbett Meadow site and have listened carefully to the views raised with the Trust, including directly at our Board.

“In line with national policy, the Trust must ensure NHS land is used to support clinical and operational needs first and, where land is surplus, that its disposal can generate funding to reinvest in patient care. Should any plans for the site progress, there will be formal opportunities through the statutory planning process for local residents, governors and community groups to have their say.”

Charles Church has also been contacted for comment.