Hands off our green spaces! More than 6,500 people sign petition against plans to build on Dudley's green belt
More than 6,500 people have signed a petition fighting against plans to build on green belt land on the edge of the Black Country.
Campaigners are fighting plans to build 550 new homes on an area of green space in Kingswinford known as The Triangle, and a further 330 on land next to the historic Holbeche House in Holbeache Lane, Wall Heath.
They met with Dudley Council leader Councillor Patrick Harley on the steps of Dudley Town Hall to hand over the petitions, which object to any development of green belt land in the Kingswinford and Wall Heath areas.
It comes two weeks after Councillor Harley joined them for a demonstration in Swindon Road, Wall Heath, where they planted banners at the side of the road objecting to the proposals.
Just under 4,000 people have signed an e-petition on Dudley Council's website, and a further 2,036 have signed a paper petition which was presented to Councillor Harley on Friday (March 13). A further 500 have lodged formal objections against an outline planning application by Persimmon Homes to develop the Holbeache Lane site, which is next to the house where the Gunpowder Plotters made their last stand.
Dave Stringfellow, of the Wall Heath and Kingswinford Action Group, said the e-petition was the biggest one yet to have been hosted on the Dudley Council website.
He said the roads would be unable to cope with the increase in extra traffic and public services would also struggle with the extra people.
