Fears for green belt after 500+ homes application in Dudley
Protestors worst fears come true after outline application for Kingswinford Triangle site
The worst fears of campaigners have been realised after a planning application was made for more than 500 homes on green belt land.
An outline application has been received by Dudley Council for a massive development on an area of Kingswinford known as ‘The Triangle’.
Opposition to any building on the land, along with another nearby site close to Holbeche House, has been building in the area for several months.
Developer Barberry Summerville has now applied for outline permission to construct 557 new homes on the Swindon Road land.
The application sparked condemnation from campaigners including Kingswinford MP Mike Wood, who said: “Very disappointing to hear that a planning application for 557 homes has been submitted for The Triangle between Kingswinford and Wall Heath.
“The plan is strongly opposed by the local community, Dudley has precious few green belt sites and we must work together to preserve The Triangle for future generations to come.”
To be developed the land would have to be reclassified as ‘grey belt’ a new status introduced by the Labour government to encourage housebuilding.
To be reclassified the site would have to be considered not to make a strong contribution to the purposes of green belt to prevent unrestricted urban sprawl.
A report from planning specialists, Lavigne Lonsdale, for the applicants claims the site is bordered by built up areas and has a natural boundary of roads which means development would not significantly impact the green belt and could be reclassified as grey belt.
Campaigners say the latest application is one of a number of proposals which, if all approved, would mean a total of 1,735 new houses within a mile of the centre of Kingswinford.
The applicant says as well as new homes the development would provide public open space, allotments, pedestrian cycle links, a shop, community room and landscaping.
Objections have already started being posted on the council’s planning portal.
Joanne Wells, from Wordsley, said: “There is no requirement for such an additional housing estate, especially in an area that is quite open and green on the edge of countryside.
“There are already issues with traffic and congestion in this and the surrounding areas, without an additional 1000+ cars due to the 500+ homes.
“Local schools are at capacity, not to mention local doctors where appointments are difficult to obtain as it is.”