WYTHALL residents fighting plans for 76 homes in the village face a tougher task after council officers failed to find a highways expert willing to defend Bromsgrove planners’ refusal.

In March, developers Taylor Wimpey had its application for the new homes turned down unanimously by Bromsgrove District Council’s planning committee.

Councillors voted to refuse planning permission on highways grounds. These were that Selsdon Close, proposed as providing access to the development, has a small width and the “subsequent conflict with parked vehicles” would have a harmful impact.

The applicant lodged an appeal, scheduled to be heard in August.

The reasons for refusal usually form the council’s position but, after seeking legal advice, officers were informed losing the appeal is an “inevitability” without evidence.

To defend the decision the council needed to find an expert highway’s witness willing to take the case on. Despite approaching numerous candidates, officers were unable to find anyone.

According to the council, consultants refused because they see no “technically justifiable case”, and fear damage to their professional integrity as there is no, or a limited, chance of success.

The council has now taken the decision to attend the appeal only to explain the council’s position. By not contesting the appeal the Advertiser understands this leaves the way clear for the application to be granted.

The green light could be given to the application as early as this Monday, June 20, when a new application is heard by planners.

Former Bromsgrove District Councillor Stephen Peters, who was on the planning committee and voted against the development, said: “Councillors were unanimously opposed.

“For the council not to defend the committee’s decision is an affront to local democracy.”

Last Thursday 100 residents, opposing the development, attended a meeting called by Wythall South Residents Action Group.

Group spokesman, Kevin Lowry, said: “When the application was refused it effectively becomes council policy.

“For officers to then say they are not going to defend the decision makes a mockery of the whole process.”

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman said: “The original planning application received the support of both planning and highway officers, and was presented with a recommendation for approval. Despite this, the application was refused.

“We have lodged an appeal but our preference is to seek to resolve this at local level. For this reason, a new planning application has been submitted which seeks to address previous concerns.

“Taylor Wimpey will also be entering into a Section 106 agreement to ensure financial contributions are made to support local infrastructure.”