Homes plan for greenbelt land sparks uproar from villagers

The development has been proposed on land at Boscobel Lane in Bishops Wood and would deliver 40 affordable homes with an estimated mix of 10 first homes, 10 shared ownership and 20 for social rent.

If approved, the 5.23-hectare site would also see a shop built, which is intended to "serve the needs of the local community", as stated on the planning statement submitted on behalf of property developers Boningale Homes.

The statement also said a single vehicular access point would serve the development from Boscobel Lane and existing trees and hedgerows will be incorporated into plans "where possible".

It adds that the development would also offer public open space, which could include the addition of a play area and community orchard.

The proposals have however been met with backlash from residents, with 52 formal objections having been made so far in response to the planning application submitted to South Staffordshire District Council.

A total of 916 people have also penned their signatures on a petition which has been put forward to the local authority.

Residents Christopher Brown and Christopher Dean set up The Bishops Wood Community Action Group around four months ago, which has spearheaded the residents' opposition to the housing plan.

The group, which is made up of about 250 members, meets on a regular basis at drop-in sessions held at the Bishops Wood Village Hall.

Mr Dean has lived in the tranquil Bishops Wood for a decade and said the proposed development "doesn't meet the needs" of the village.

The 43-year-old said: "The main thing that myself and a number of the other villagers are passionate about is the release of the greenbelt land.

"It is all about the over-development of greenbelt land for me as a principle. We have got an overall reliance on importing food and goods overseas and that is only going to get worse if we build on greenbelt.

"It is not about having no development, it is about the appropriate development, and this application doesn't fit that need. It just doesn't sit right with me."

Mr Dean explained that there are around 275 houses in Bishops Wood and if the development were to be approved, he fears it would change the character of the village.

He added: "One of the key concerns here is traffic and road safety. I often go out for a walk at lunch time and most of the roads around here don't have pavements, so that increased road traffic presents a problem – it would just be a nightmare.

"It is not just me and the older generation walking dogs, it is the kids going to school as well. There is no car park for the school in the village so everyone is parked up everywhere.

"It is agricultural land, it has been harvested certainly every single year, twice a year, since I have been here, so [by building the development] you are removing that from the food stock, supply chain in the local area."

The resident said he feels there is a need for more affordable housing in the area which would not be met by this proposed development.

Among the more than 50 objections to the planning application on the South Staffordshire District Council website, Mrs Doris Roddis wrote: "The proposed development will place an unsustainable strain on our local infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities, and public services.

"These resources are already stretched thin and will not be able to cope with the influx of new residents.

"Greenbelt safeguards the vital resources that cleans our air and water, reduces our flood risk, provides a home for wildlife and ensures our community have green spaces, vital for mental health.

"The greenbelt has had a crop planted and which now has just been harvested. We need this fertile greenbelt for future crops. Essential for our food chain. Don't destroy it we need it, wildlife needs it."

The planning statement submitted to the council on behalf of Boningale Homes reads: "The proposed development will provide plentiful planning benefits including, making a positive contribution to South Staffordshire District and the wider housing market area’s local housing need, contributions to the local economy through the creation of jobs and spending by residential occupiers, the provision of a local shop which can provide for every day convenience needs, and the provision of public open space to promote social interaction.

"A comprehensive Very Circumstances Case exists to justify proposing the development in the greenbelt. The proposed development is compliant with national and local policy requirements in all other respects/can be secured to be compliant at the reserved matters stage via the use of planning conditions and obligations.

"The plentiful benefits of the proposal demonstrably outweigh any harm (to the openness of the greenbelt / to the purposes of including land within the greenbelt, for example)."

Residents have until August 18 to put forward their views on the application to South Staffordshire District Council before a final decision is made.