DETERMINED campaigners battling stop Halesowen’s countryside from being redeveloped for housing have vowed to fight on after contractors moved on to the site.

Members of the ‘Save Halesowen’s Countryside’ group were alarmed to see machinery move on to the green belt fields at Lapel Farm, off Manor Way, while contractors carried out ground investigations.

But protestors said they will continue to lobby Dudley Council cabinet members urging them to stop any future development on the historic land.

New homes and businesses, transport and green spaces all form part of the Black Country Core Strategy, which is being reviewed to plan regeneration up to 2036.

The strategy revealed nearly 80,000 new homes need to be built across the region in the next 20 years to cope with increases in population and this could result in green belt land being built upon.

But the plans have sparked a storm of protest and this week Halesowen ward councillors issued a cross-party joint statement outlining their objections to the plan.

Dudley Council said responses to a consultation on the core strategy – which ended last month – are now being considered.

Halesowen Abbey Trust secretary and campaign member Mick Freer said: “We were carrying out our own survey of the land when we noticed the machinery.

“This is what happens when land such as this beautiful countryside is earmarked for possible development – it invites interest from property developers.

“But we are not going to just sit back and let this happen. We will continue to lobby Dudley Council’s cabinet as they have the power the stop this.

“It is wrong that Dudley should be offering up this exceptional countryside. This needs to be protected for future generations.”

Mr Freer added that Dudley had sufficient brownfield sites for houses and that deficiencies lay in Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

In their statement, the Halesowen ward councillors said: “We, from three different political parties, are all very clear in our opposition to any plans to develop areas of greenbelt.

“It is suggested that greenbelt land is required to meet future housing needs as there are not enough sites within the urban area to accommodate this need.

“We are all of the opinion that brownfield sites across the Black Country have not yet been fully utilised and so there are no exceptional circumstances which would justify the release of greenbelt land at this time.

“We remain committed to this view and are united in our efforts to demonstrate that local greenbelt land is of immense historical and cultural significance, as well as demonstrating the amenity value it provides to local residents.

“We will all continue to do as much as we possibly can to make these views known and continue to work in the interests of Halesowen's residents.”

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The consultation is now closed and we appreciate people taking the time to complete it. The results are now being analysed which will be used to form the next, more detailed plan, in the spring next year.”