PROPOSALS to build 500 new homes in Rock Hill – including several on the site of the derelict Greyhound pub – could finally go through after being put back on the table.

However, developers Catesby Estates must meet financial obligations totalling several million pounds – mainly regarding road infrastructure – if the plans are to go ahead.

Bromsgrove District Council’s planning committee has previously rejected applications from Catesby, who want to develop land off Whitford Road and Albert Road.

The developer told the Advertiser last year that it would return with amended plans and the scheme will be discussed at the council’s planning committee meeting on Thursday (October 31).

Catesby wishes to build 490 houses and a shop on land off Whitford Road, as well as installing two new priority accesses onto the road and creating ‘public open space’.

In addition, they plan to demolish the boarded-up Greyhound pub – which was badly damaged in an arson attack earlier this year – and build up to 15 more homes there as well as a new roundabout.

Council planners have recommended that councillors on the committee grant outline planning permission for the proposals should Catesby meet certain demands.

Those include contributing more than £4million to transport infrastructure in the vicinity – Market Street, St John’s Street, Kidderminster Road and the A38 route – due to the additional traffic the development would create.

Catesby must also pay £560,000 for a cycleway between Whitford Road and Kidderminster Road via Sanders Park and a contribution towards the build cost of a new two-form entry First School and Nursery to be constructed in Perryfields Road.

Traffic concerns have proven a stumbling block to the previous applications being approved but planners are satisfied those issues have been solved.

Their report states: “A comprehensive mitigation package has been provided addressing access to the site by all modes which include major junction reconfigurations and planning obligations.

“The application addresses local and national policy requirements and it helps to enable network wide improvements to the A38 improvement project.”

“The Highway Authority has undertaken a robust assessment of the planning application.

“Based on the analysis of the information submitted and consultation responses from third parties, the Highway Authority concludes that there would not be a severe impact and therefore there are no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be maintained.”