CAMPAIGNERS against a huge housing development are celebrating after plans to build nearly 80 homes in Stoke Prior have been refused.

Bromsgrove District Council’s planning committee turned down proposals to build 78 homes on green belt land named Little Intall Fields off Hanbury Road and Stoke Pound Lane.

At a packed-out meeting on Monday, February 6, residents turned out in their droves to make a stand against the housing development.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: This is where 78 homes could have been built.This is where 78 homes could have been built. (Image: John Roundell.)

The application, lodged by Your Land Partner, included a ‘flexible commercial/community use building’, and around 50 per cent of the properties would have been ‘affordable homes’.

The existing commercial and agricultural building to the north of the site would also have been demolished.

Resident John Roundell, who spoke on behalf of objectors, said the development is not in a sustainable transport location.

He said: “Schools and services are not in walking distance, and the pavements are narrow and roads are unsafe for cyclists.

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“Daily, HGV’s reverse back up Hanbury Road when they realise they cannot get under the low bridge.

Cllr Chris Jewson from Stoke Parish Council said the council ‘strongly’ object to the application, specifically for the issues surrounding traffic.

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He said: “Hanbury Road is already a busy road.

“If the access road comes off Hanbury Road then it will become the new turning point for HGV’s that have to turn around halfway down the road.

“The application would make a bad situation worse.”

Bromsgrove Advertiser: A lorry trying to turn on Hanbury Road.A lorry trying to turn on Hanbury Road. (Image: Mark Randell.)

However, Brynley Little from Your Land Partner, said the site has been ‘carefully chosen’ and the site is ‘not open countryside’ and is a ‘sustainable location’.

“We are addressing the chronic shortfall in housing delivery,” said Mr Little.

Five councillors from Bromsgrove District Council’s planning committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation for refusal, two councillors voted against the recommendations and one councillor abstained.