Catshill residents launch petition against housing plans (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Catshill residents launch petition against housing plans

2:00pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News

CONCERNED residents in Catshill have launched a petition against housing development plans.

People living in Byron Way fear a proposal by Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (bdht) to build homes in the area will make it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the street.

The latest application by bdht to erect two homes at the rear of 22-33 Byron Way follows another in the same street for six rental properties behind numbers 2-8.

Residents are now determined to fight against the plans and have launched a petition to show their feelings on the issue.

Resident John McKennedy said: “It is ridiculous that they are going to try to build more houses in Byron Way. I have had three heart attacks so it is very important that an ambulance can get down the street. The big issue for residents is the worry that emergency vehicles will have difficulty, not to mention refuse collections. There just isn’t enough room to fit in the extra homes and parking spaces.

“A petition has been started and there are lots of names already on it. It doesn’t make sense to build the homes there.”

Mike Brown, chief executive of bdht, said: “We welcome feedback on the proposed site. However, our position is we still need to address the affordable housing shortage in the area, especially as we have over 3,000 people on the waiting list for homes.

“The planning process will allow residents to raise any concerns they may have but in regard to the issues of parking and public access, these are all aspects of the planning process that the council’s planning officers will consider when processing our application.”