THE WEST Midlands mayor has pledged to build on previously developed land to save the greenbelt in Solihull after campaigners called for a halt to ‘the destruction of the countryside’.
Mayor Andy Street insists his approach to building on ‘brownfield sites’ will protect Solihull’s green spaces from being lost in the future.
His comments come after campaigners raised concerns in the Observer (January 24) over plans to develop 1,700 homes in Balsall Common and Berkswell on land near the historic windmill.
The proposals are outlined in Solihull’s Draft Local Plan, which is currently subject to public consultation until March 15.
The Local Plan is a blueprint for which areas of the borough will be used for housing and other uses up to 2028.
It will help set locations for almost 15,000 houses over the next 15 years.
Mr Street, who grew up in Solihull, said: “I recognise the unique circumstances in Balsall Common, the pride that local people have in the place, and the importance of landmarks like the windmill.
“Solihull is under pressure to provide additional housing for a growing population, and the local authority draft plan is aiming to balance that with protecting the character of places like Balsall Common.
“Regionally, we are accelerating development on brownfield sites, in order to protect important green spaces.
“The point is, the more development there is on reclaimed brownfield sites in Birmingham and the Black Country, the less pressure there will be on the Meridan Gap and other green belt areas.
“We built 14,600 new homes in the West Midlands last year – a figure that has more than doubled since 2011 – and the huge proportion of that has been built on brownfield land, precisely to take the pressure off areas like Solihull.
“However, I appreciate how important areas like Balsall Common are to residents, and that’s why it’s vital that we get their input.
“The fact is this is a draft plan and there is a consultation going on.
“People can respond to the proposals, and I would urge anyone who has an opinion to have their say.”
There are six plots of land, with almost 1,700 homes, earmarked for development in Balsall Common and Berkswell.
Groups including The Friends of the Berkswell Windmill said they are appalled at the council’s latest attempts to build on green fields.