Objections to proposed housing on Webheath ADR flood in to Redditch Council (From Redditch Advertiser)

Objections to proposed housing on Webheath ADR flood in to Redditch Council

10:20am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

NEARLY 900 people have bombarded Redditch Council’s website with their vehement objections to a housing development proposal for Webheath’s ADR (area of development restraint)

And representatives from the Webheath (Neighbourhood) Action Group (WAG) have also presented a petitions carrying almost 1,300 signatures to Redditch Council’s planning committee, asking it to refuse all planning applications for housing development within the Webheath ADR.

Tayloy Wimpey has applied to build 200 homes on the land, and WAG, which had fought to protect the land for many years, wants the application to be rejected.

Some of the reasons the group gives are that Webheath’s highways and roads are inadaequate, they do not believe the existing sewage system would cope, it is a severe flash flood risk area, protected species will be destroyed, the land is of archaeological value and public transport is not adequate.

A deadline to comment on the application on Redditch Council’s website was due to close on Friday, but after some people reported difficulties in posting their comments, the council extended the deadline.

David Rose, chair of WAG, said: “Ruth Bamford, head of planning for Redditch, responded immediately, by extending the consultation period until midnight on Tuesday, September 11.

“With well over 800 objectors registered already on Friday night, WAG really welcomed this short time extension.’’

Mr Rose thanked the hundreds of people who logged their objections, and added: “You Webheath people are an inspiration.”

Of the nearly 900 people who commented, just a few were in support of the application.

It is believed a decision on the controversial application will be made by Redditch Council’s planning committee before the end of October.