CONCERNS have been raised following an exhibition on proposed plans to build around 1,200 new homes in Perryfields.

The public meeting held by the house-building company Taylor Wimpey on Thursday, October 16 was visited by around 300 people.

The site is on an allocated area in Bromsgrove’s District Council’s core strategy as land for possible development.

Those in attendance had an opportunity to leave feedback, speak with the project team, ask questions and view the initial plans before a formal application is submitted to Bromsgrove District Council.

Representatives from the Bromsgrove Society, an organisation which works to preserve the history and promote the sustainable development of Bromsgrove, attended the meeting.

Society chairman Reg Longshaw expressed the group’s concerns that if the development does go ahead then at peak times the traffic flow would be exacerbated on both the Kidderminster and Stourbridge roads nearby the development.

He added that the Bromsgrove Society is of the opinion the following will cause exceptional traffic problems in the town centre at critical periods, particularly when the new railway station is operative.

One of the residents who attended the meeting, David Williams of Carol Avenue Bromsgrove, said: “The Kidderminster Road is already badly congested morning and evening and the proposals in their plan would do nothing to alleviate this as far as I can see and a further 1,200 homes would only add to the problem.

“You also have to ask the question can the existing infrastructure of schools, doctors, dentists, hospitals cope with all the additional people.

“Also, once these houses are built, the town can forget any hopes of a western bypass which it really needs. Let us hope that common sense prevails because once this is done it cannot be undone and Bromsgrove will live with the congestion for years to come.”

County councillor Luke Mallett said: "Like many local residents, my biggest concern is transport infrastructure. The leadership of Bromsgrove and Worcestershire councils have had 10 to 15 years to sort out our town's roads, so that we could absorb housing growth in their plan. But nothing's been done - how on earth do they think our already congested roads can take these thousands of extra cars?

"Recent Whitford road plans were refused because of poor transport infrastructure. These proposals will channel many times more vehicles down the very same roads.
“Residents are being left to suffer the consequences of years of inactivity and dawdling by Bromsgrove Council, led largely by councillors from outside of Bromsgrove town. We needed action on a western bypass years ago.”

Kit Taylor, planning portfolio-holder at Bromsgrove District Council, said: “As a resident I share the same concerns and have the same irritations as my fellow residents in Bromsgrove about the perceived future traffic problems, but as a politician and unlike councillor Mallett, I and councillor Sherrey the leader of BDC are meeting with the county council and highway chiefs in a bid to resolve our future problems.

Bromsgrove District Council leader Margaret Sherrey added that the district council is the planning authority only and Worcester County Council Highways are consultees in this process.

The house-building company are aiming to provide hundreds of new homes, employment space, elderly care homes, retail and community facilities, formal sports pitches and affordable housing.

James Bradshaw, strategic land regional director at Taylor Wimpey, said a new frequent bus service between Perryfields and the town centre and train station will provide public transport for commuters therefore reducing the number of car journeys.

He added that Taylor Wimpey will make a financial contribution to provide for needed infrastructure improvements as a result of the development.

Councillor John Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: "Worcestershire County Council's highways department consider and respond to individual applications in relation to the impact on the highway network.  As this is a live planning application until those assessment have been done it would be difficult to comment ahead of this being properly considered."

For more information call 0800 148 8911 or visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/perryfields.