PLANS for nearly 150 homes in Bromsgrove as part of a wider estate have been refused by councillors, going against recommendations.  

Back in August 2021, planning permission was granted on appeal for 1300 homes, an extra care facility, a mixed-use local centre, a first school, open space, sports pitches and recreational areas on land off Perryfields Road, Stourbridge Road and Kidderminster Road.

The huge estate will be completed in five phases with the first phase consisting of 149 homes – 42 of which will be affordable homes.

The phase one application was heard by Bromsgrove District Council planning committee on April 3 where members decided to defer the application to schedule a site visit along with the highways authority.

This was amid concern from campaigners after developer Taylor Wimpey altered a proposed spine road within the development.

However, following a further planning meeting on July 3, members of the committee have decided to refuse proposals on highways concerns over the spine road.

The spine road must be designed for speeds of 20mph in accordance with outline planning permission but Taylor Wimpey says the road layout has been deviated to ensure the speed limit can be achieved.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Site plan for phase one.Site plan for phase one. (Image: Taylor Wimpey.)

During the meeting, John Gerner, representing the Bromsgrove Society said: “Approving the layout before you will have adverse consequences.

“Common sense says the deviation will increase journey times forcing more drivers through the town centre and Sidemoor than the inspector judged acceptable.

“There are no designs in the public domain to improve Parkside so it can cope with traffic generated by development at Perryfields.”

Campaigner Graham Dallas said: “If the council passes it, it will leave this town with a traffic legacy that decries any future cants it proposes about lessening pollution, congestion and improving the quality of life.

Holly Martin from Santac on behalf of Taylor Wimpey said: “A great deal of information has been submitted to the council’s highway authority over a period of nine months to ensure a safe and suitable internal road layout is achieved.

“The approved outline parameters plan states the exact route of the road is to be agreed.

“The design now proposed fully accords with the local and national policies and it is also in line with the highways proposals and principles agreed at outline planning stage.

“There is no objection from independent assessor Mott Macdonald.

“New pedestrian and cycle connection points through the site are proposed including Perryfields Road to ensure the development is well connected to the surrounding area and to future phases of the site.”

However, planning committee members disagreed with recommendations put forward by planning officers and felt the spine road plan would lead to more vehicle movements travelling down the road, causing congestion.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesperson said: "Following detailed engagement with planning and highways officers, and consultation with the local community and statutory consultees, we are disappointed with the decision to refuse planning permission and are considering our options."