Proposal for 2,800 new homes on Green Belt near Redditch

Real estate consultancy Bilfinger GVA has submitted a duplicate planning application to Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council for a new settlement of 2,800 homes at a Green Belt location currently in agricultural use.The 136-hectare site is adjacent to the suburb of Webheath, some 1.5 miles from Redditch town centre.Both the planning authorities are supporting the removal of the land from the Green Belt in order to support cross-boundary growth. The consultancy said the scheme is in line with their housing needs and would help meet the “duty to co-operate” requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.Redditch DC’s emerging local plan has identified a housing need for approximately 6,400 dwellings by 2030, but can only demonstrate capacity for 3,000.The application proposes 2,800 dwellings, a mix of flats and one to five bedroom family houses, 40 per cent of which would be affordable. The scheme also includes a three-form entry first school with associated playing area and parking, provision of 52-hectares of public open space, a mixed-use community facility and retail units.Bilfinger GVA submitted the application on behalf of Heyford Developments and UK Land and Development.