A LONG-TERM plan outlining how Bromsgrove's town centre, villages and countryside will be developed over the next 13 years has been approved by district councillors.

The most recent Bromsgrove District Plan details how the district council intends to accommodate a projected increase of 7,000 homes and around 6,000 residents between 2011 and 2030.

Of these 7,000 dwellings, 368 have already been created, 99 are under construction and 953 have outstanding planning consents.

Green Belt land is set to accommodate 2,300 of them, pending the result of a Green Belt Review.

Bromsgrove's town centre has been identified as the most sustainable location for significant growth, with promises to transform it into a 'thriving location'.

Three specific sites are earmarked to accommodate the majority of development - Norton Farm in Birmingham Road, Perryfields Road and Whitford Road.

Norton Farm is set to hold 316 dwellings, along with a community hall, play areas, sports pitches and an allotment site.

Perryfields Road will become home to a whopping 1,300 new dwellings, which are set to be accompanied by a local centre including shops, to be built adjacent to Sidemoor First School.

An 'extra care' facility encompassing 200 unites is also outlined in the plan.

The report proposes an extra 490 homes be developed on Whitford Road, as well as a community infrastructure and small retail space.

Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Catshill, Hagley, Rubery and Wythall have also been listed as sites for further development.

Economic growth will be primarily focused in areas in Longbridge and Bromsgrove town, while employment growth outside the town centre is expected to be provided primarily in existing estates and business parks.

Bromsgrove District Council expects to receive proposals for shops and restaurants on the historic market site, while the Dolphin Centre has been earmarked as a site for a potential new leisure centre, or residential or retail units.

The council also hopes to see a large shopping area developed on the northern end of Windsor Street.

In summary, the Bromsgrove Partnership envisions the district becoming "the place to live, do business and to visit".

An inspector found the plan to have 'a number of deficiencies' and Labour Group councillors voted to reject the plan at a full council meeting on January 25.

Cllr Luke Mallett, leader of Bromsgrove's Labour Group, said: "The reality is that the plan is a dogs dinner, it has taken 13 years to produce and cost the taxpayer well over £2million.

"Local people in Bromsgrove deserve better from their Council that a plan that places the bulk of development on one side of town and an infrastructure plan that puts all the road and transport improvements on the other side of town."

Despite councillors' objections, the report was passed with modifications after 12 years of fine-tuning by a majority of 15 votes to nine, with three councillors abstaining.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Kit Taylor, whose portfolio covers planning and regeneration, said: “I am delighted that the plan was passed as this is what we hang our hat on and we need it to move forward and provide a framework for the future development of Bromsgrove.

“I cannot praise enough the hard work, perseverance and patience of the officers who have worked tirelessly on this document.”

To read the plan in full, click here.