Campaigners have expressed their worst fears after a planning application was submitted for more than 500 homes on green belt land in Kingswinford. An outline application has been received by Dudley Council for a massive development on an area known as 'The Triangle'. Opposition to building on this land, along with another nearby site close to Holbeche House, has been growing for several months.
Developer's Proposal
Developer Barberry Summerville has applied for outline permission to construct 557 new homes on Swindon Road. 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."
Grey Belt Classification
To be developed, the land would need to be reclassified as 'grey belt', a new status introduced by the Labour government to encourage housebuilding. Reclassification requires the site to be considered not making 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, meaning development would not significantly impact the green belt and could be reclassified as grey belt.
Community Concerns
Campaigners say this application is one of several proposals that, if all approved, would mean a total of 1,735 new houses within a mile of Kingswinford centre. The applicant says the development would provide public open space, allotments, pedestrian cycle links, a shop, community room, and landscaping. Objections have already been 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 surrounding areas, without an additional 1,000+ 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."
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