AN INQUIRY into a controversial proposal to build almost 200 houses on green fields in Bewdley has got underway.

Land speculator Gladman Developments is appealing Wyre Forest District Council’s decision to throw out their plan to construct 195 homes, including 30 per cent affordable homes, on land off The Lakes Road.

Government planning inspector Matthew Nunn launched the inquiry today (Tuesday, October 24) and it is expected to last eight days.

The proposal sparked fierce opposition from residents, businesses and town councillors when it was put forward in August last year and resulted in the formation of the Bewdley Says No To Gladman (BSNTG) campaign group.

Paul Cairnes QC, for Gladman, said the main issues of the inquiry related to the effects of the proposal on the landscape, the effect on Bewdley Conservation Area and the Grade II listed Seven Heights and an impact on air quality.

He also contended the council’s ability to demonstrate it has a five-year housing supply plan and added Gladman’s proposal has a presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ due to the social, economic and environmental benefits it would bring.

Mr Cairnes said that they will produce evidence to the inquiry to address concerns and added that the scheme would address “acute affordable housing needs within the district”.

He added: “There would be little identifiable harm as a result of the appeal scheme and significant benefits.”

But Hugh Richards, for the council, rejected Gladman’s submissions and said the green field was not allocated in its adopted Local Plan.

He said: “The council’s case is that the accepted social and economic sustainability benefits of delivering housing on the appeal site are outweighed by the harm that arises.

“Overall, the appeal scheme is not judged to be sustainable development. The fact that it is contrary to the spatial strategy in the adopted and emerging local plan counts against it in sustainability terms.

“The council has reached the view that to allow this appeal and grant planning permission, even subject to appropriate conditions and the proffered obligations, would be contrary to both development plan and national planning policy.”

A dozen residents passionately outlined their opposition to the scheme at the inquiry, citing more than 800 objections submitted to planners and the collection of £4,000 towards a fund to fight Gladman.

They told Mr Nunn that the proposed development would result in a loss of a much loved and valuable area of beauty which would cause ecological devastation with the potential loss of rare species.

Residents also raised concerns about the impact on highways while questioning figures put forward by Gladman on the economic benefits the development would bring.

The inquiry continues.