BATTLING residents are to march through Kidderminster in protest at plans to earmark district Green belt sites for housing developments.

People are set to march from the Spennells estate to Kidderminster Town Hall tomorrow (Friday, August 4) evening, from 5:30pm from beside the dam at Captains Pool and 6pm from Turnstone Road, where a letter setting out their opposition to Wyre Forest District Council’s draft Local Plan will be handed to MP Mark Garnier.

The event has been organised by Spennells Against Further Expansion (SAFE) who, this week, also put their name to a cross-party statement urging a rethink on the proposals.

The district council is consulting on its draft Local Plan Preferred Options Document which sets out proposals for future development in the district over the next two decades. The cross-party statement has been signed by SAFE chairman Doug Hine, UKIP MEP James Carver, his party colleague Councillor Martin Stooke, Councillor Anna Coleman and Brett Caulfield from Wyre Forest Green Party, Labour’s Sarah Rook, Bernadette Connor and Gareth Webster, Liberal Democrat’s Claire Cassidy, independent councillor David Ross, Wyre Forest Friends of the Earth coordinator Dave Finch, Nigel Gilbert, for Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) Alan Totty from Offmore Comberton Action Group and Sally Watkins of Fight for Far Forest.

In the statement, they said: “Although (the Local Plan) considers brownfield sites, it does not consider higher urban densities in our town centres before pursuing a strategy of urban sprawl into our valuable countryside, affecting many communities around Wilden, Spennells, Offmore, Comberton, Lea Castle, Areley Kings, Lickhill, Far Forest, Wribbenhall and Highclere.

“We urge all residents and visitors to Wyre Forest to inform themselves about these plans and send their comments to the District Council, whilst this consultation is open, by August 14.”

The Friends of Highclere Fields Residents Association chairman Tony Leach also said: “We have notified hundreds of local homes about the proposals and there has been interest from local and regional media in the story.

“We were delighted that there was such a significant turn out at the consultation road show in Bewdley organised by Wyre Forest District Council. Bewdley Town Council Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group do not want development on the Highclere Fields.”

He added "It's really important that local residents make their views known to Wyre Forest District Council before the consultation closes on Monday 14 August. Act now before it is too late!"

Wyre Forest Labour Group urged people to make sure their objections are based on solid planning reasons.

Labour spokesman Stephen Brown said: "We want residents to have their say and undertake the Local Plan consultation. We would also welcome local people getting in touch with us to give us their views, and we'd be happy to work with local groups on this to formulate their objections based on proper planning reasons where it is appropriate.

“Such housing expansion can be an emotional issue for many, and we understand that, especially when it's about the potential loss of 'green belt' and valued local amenities.

“The best chance of preventing unwanted and environmentally damaging expansion to our 'green belt' is by sticking to objective planning reasons, however difficult that might seem sometimes when passions are running high.

"Nevertheless, in the first instance, the council should be focusing its attention on brownfield sites for housing expansion, for both social and affordable housing needs.”

The council has been urging residents to attend a series of drop in sessions, with the last one being held at St Oswald’s Church Centre in Broadwaters Drive, Kidderminster from 2pm until 7pm tomorrow (August 4).

So far, more than 1500 residents have attended and council chiefs are urging people to find out more about the plans and have their say.

Details are also available online at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localplanreview. People can submit comments and feedback via email to LPR@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy Team, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, WORCS, DY11 7WF.

The deadline for responses is 5pm on Monday, August 14.

*A village meeting has been organised for concerned Far Forest residents to discuss the plans on Saturday (August 5). It will be held at Far Forest Village Hall from 2-4pm.