Controversial application for 750 homes submitted for green field in south Staffordshire village

The Pendeford Mill Lane development on the edge of Bilbrook has proved controversial as it is being built on green fields.

The application made to South Staffordshire Council is for the demolition of existing buildings, construction of up to 750 dwellings, a First School, up to 75 units of specialist older persons accommodation and Local Centre, as well as associated access, drainage, green and blue infrastructure, ground remodelling and ancillary infrastructure.

"The housing provision will begin to address the acute housing need in the area and, in turn, will realise a number of significant socio-economic benefits. The neighbourhood will include a varied mix and range of house types to reflect housing needs and demand, from starter homes through to larger family homes. This will include 40 per cent affordable housing."

Bloor Homes held community engagement events in the village to inform people about the development.

Summing up the community consultation, Bloor Homes said: "A not insignificant number of respondents who were absolutely opposed to any development and who would not accept that there is acute housing need. Others expressed on concern about traffic and impact on village services, with some suggesting the village has had enough development over the years.

"Others welcomed the engagement and opportunity to view the plans and provide comment."

Several residents have lodged public objections on the application, including Matthew Webster, who said: "Bilbrook is a village and does not have the facilities to accommodate such a development and influx of people, the density of the population caused by this would be even worse, there is only one high school in the area that takes pupils from perton.

"Codsall and Bilbrook so the solution is to build another primary school. I have a young son, pay my bills without fail every month and now I am effectively being told that he may not even be able to get a place at a local high school when he reaches that age."