I am really pleased that Corbett Meadow will be designated local green space and be afforded the same protection as Green Belt in the plan. This is something I have campaigned for with local people and it is great news.
However, there are some disappointing proposals too.
The grazing land at Wollaston Farm is earmarked for 90 homes and the land adjacent to Worcester Lane is being considered as a site of 115 homes. This is Green Belt and so is something I do not agree with and I will make that clear to the council’s consultation.
The site in Lye is not green belt and therefore I can understand the rationale for building on this green space, but again, I will look closely at what is proposed and then give my views.
The reality is we must strike a balance between the need for housing and the need to protect our landscape. However, my stance is firm: we must exhaust all brownfield options before one blade of Green Belt is built on.
I also need to stress that these are just proposals at present. I urge everyone in Stourbridge to look closely at this plan and take part in the consultation so the council understands residents’ views in all cases.