PLANS to build nine homes on green belt land in Alvechurch have been refused for a second time.

The site off Withybed Lane was previously subject to a planning application for ten homes but was refused last July as it was considered “an inappropriate development on green belt land”.

Applicant, Chris Brian, submitted a revised outline planning application earlier this year for nine homes on the same parcel of land but was refused once again by planners.

The decision notice states: “The proposed development by reason of its distance from essential services, job opportunities and public transport links in addition to a lack of adequate footway provision and street lighting would mean that future occupiers would be reliant upon motor vehicles as a means of transport.

“As such it would result in an unsustainable form of development.”

However, the plan’s design and access statement noted that two bus stops located on Birmingham Road are 850m from the site entrance meaning “future occupiers would not be unduly reliant on private transport.”

Planners also said the development would reduce the openness of the green belt and would be inappropriate.

A total of 31 people objected to the planning application, with many concerned about the ecological and environmental harm, highway safety and drainage.