RESIDENTS in Stourport are being asked to give their views on a controversial planned housing development on farm land in the town.

Land speculators Gladman Developments have sent out brochures to residents in and around Astley Cross where they intended to construct 150 houses on the green space.

Planning applications are yet to be submitted to both Wyre Forest District Council and Malvern Hills District Council, which covers half the area in question.

But Labour councillor Jamie Shaw, who sits on both Wyre Forest and Stourport Town Councils, said they were strongly opposed to the plans and had instigated a leafleting campaign near the site.

Gladman is now inviting residents to submit comments on their plans via their dedicated page on their website http://www.your-views.co.uk/astleycross/

In brochures sent out to explain their plans, the company said the development would include up to 40 per cent affordable housing.

They also address concerns already raised over the impact of new housing on the road infrastructure, a potential risk of flooding and extra pressure being placed on local services such as schools – for which Gladman says it will make a financial contribution to the

It added: “The proposed site is a suitable and sustainable location for new development. We believe that new homes will enhance the town and support its existing services and facilities.

“We are in the early stages of preparing a planning application and this consultation is part of that process.”

But Councillor Shaw said there were a number of reasons why this application, when submitted, should be thrown out.

These include both district authorities having already identified sites for residential development and therefore satisfying a five year land supply, the development being out of proportion with the needs of the area and it being unsustainable to the physical, economic and social infrastructure of Stourport.

In November, a planning application submitted by Planning Prospects to build stables for three horses was rejected by both District Councils.

*Meanwhile, Gladman’s planning application for the construction of 195 homes on countryside land off The Lakes Road in Bewdley has been deferred again.

Wyre Forest District Council planning committee was due to consider it in December but was put back until later this month.

But a spokesman for the council said: “Gladman have indicated that they will be submitting additional information which they wish to submit in support of the application and to address some specific technical issues. We have not received this information to date.

“As such the application will not be reported to the January Planning Committee meeting.”