Wyre Forest Labour Party believes that there is a need in Wyre Forest for genuinely affordable housing and in particular a major increase in social housing. However, ‘brownfield site’ redevelopment must be prioritised and maximised to reduce any building on greenfield sites in order to protect our ‘green belt’ against unnecessary loss and environmental damage.

Wyre Forest Labour Party is also anxious to gain insight into the views of local residents through your participation in the consultation process and encourages you to submit your views to the consultation, or contact us for appropriate advice if needed.

For the best chance of success in this process, Labour would suggest residents focus any objections they have to the unwanted expansion of housing provision by submitting such objections based on planning issues alone e.g. potential environmental damage, lack of adequate road capacity, infrastructure and public transport, insufficient provision of affordable and social housing, and community facilities.

Stephen Brown, Labour spokesperson said “We want residents to have their say and undertake the 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. However, 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 following joint statement has been agreed with “Spennells Against Further Expansion” Committee and will be signed off by leading elected Wyre Forest Labour Party Officers

• BERNADETTE CONNOR -; CHAIR, WYRE FOREST CONSTITUENCY LABOUR PARTY
• GARETH WEBSTER – CHAIR, KIDDERMINSTER EAST LABOUR PARTY BRANCH
• SARAH ROOK -; LABOUR PARTY SPOKESPERSON FOR BROADWATERS

“We, the undersigned, are concerned with Wyre Forest District Council’s Draft Local Plan. Although it 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, Wribbenhall and Highclere.

“We urge all residents and visitors to Wyre Forest to inform themselves about these plans and send your comments to the District Council whilst this consultation is open. We hope that the weight of opinion will give the Planning Team and the Planning Inspector reason to think again.”

Have your say on Local Plan

Local Plan Review (2016 – 2034)