Ramada hotel backs Seven Cornfields campaign

The Ramada Resort Park Hall said its trade would be affected by a new housing development on the Seven Cornfields.

The four-star hotel, based on Park Drive, overlooks the beauty spot and relies on its green surroundings as a selling point for guests.

On its website, the hotel says its facilities are popular for weddings and it boasts "leafy surroundings and wonderful views".

But all this could be under threat after the land owner, of the cornfields, entered into an agreement with Barratt Homes to develop proposals for housing on the 284-acre site.

The hotel's director Manoj Bhardwaj said: "We have recently become aware of the proposed Seven Cornfields housing estate plan.

"The Ramada Resort Park Hall opposes the proposed development as this would impinge on our much-loved countryside views and will have a negative impact on this area.

"One of the many reasons why so many prospective couples choose Ramada Resort Park Hall as the venue for their special day is because of those views.

"We would like to throw our support behind protecting this valued green space, which is one of the last untouched countryside spots in and around Wolverhampton.

"Our preference, as stated by West Midlands mayor Andy Street, is for Wolverhampton Council to accelerate development proposals that bring derelict sites and brownfield areas back to life ahead of using green belt land to meet the shortfall in the housing requirement."

The proposals have generated a strong backlash from residents who live around the outskirts of the cornfields, including in places like Penn and Sedgley.

A petition against the proposals has now amassed more than 5,900 signatures.

The campaign has been backed by MPs Eleanor Smith, Pat McFadden and Ian Austin, while West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and even Boris Johnson have pledged their support.