NEW boundary plans which axe a host of villages from the Bromsgrove constituency have been slammed as “ludicrous”, with critics fearing they will “split the community”.

Revised plans see Rubery North and South fall into the Northfield constituency, and Cofton – which includes Cofton Hackett and Lickey – become part of Redditch.

District wards Alvechurch Village, Alvechurch South, Barnt Green and Hopwood, Wythall West, Drakes Cross and Hollywood would also form a larger Redditch constituency.

A Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa constituency would then emerge, handing Sajid Javid MP key parts of south Worcestershire.

But the plans, which have been drawn up by the Boundary Commission to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600, have drawn fierce opposition.

Cllr Peter McDonald, who represents Rubery North, said: “It is absolutely stupid and shouldn’t be given airtime. How are people supposed to work together?

“We will have a situation where district councillors are from Bromsgrove, county councillors are from Worcestershire, and the MP is from outside of Bromsgrove.

“It would be a ridiculous situation and confusing for everyone.”

Cllr Kate van der Plank, who represents Alvechurch Village, said: “I strongly oppose these proposals which give no regard to how our community will be best represented.

“Alvechurch has a close affinity to Bromsgrove. We need a local MP who understands the needs of small communities.

“It would be ludicrous for Alvechurch residents to be in Bromsgrove catchment for schools and be represented by Bromsgrove at district level, but then have a Redditch MP.”

Alvechurch Parish Council believe they are being “forced” out of Bromsgrove with chairman Andy Humphries accusing the Boundary Commission of showing “little regard for community identity”.

Residents have also voiced their anger on a public consultation, with Jonathan Alderslade of Catshill calling the plans “a disgrace”, while Claire Melland of Rubery fears the changes will “split the community and make cohesive representation near impossible”.

The Boundary Commission said Rubery North and South has been moved out of Bromsgrove after recommendations from the Labour Party, while Tardebigge will no longer move into the Redditch constituency following opposition from Bentley Pauncefoot Parish Council.

Sam Hartley, secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: “The new map of the country is, we think, close to the best set of Parliamentary constituencies we can achieve.

“But we still want people to tell us what they think of this latest map before we make our final recommendations to Parliament next year.”

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid added: "I wish I could keep the boundaries exactly as they are.

“However, we have unequal sized constituencies and it’s important we make necessary changes for a fairer voting system.

“There has to be some change and it would be unfair for me to object the proposals, when they improve our overall democratic system.”

To view the boundary changes in full and respond, visit bce2018.org.uk.