RESIDENTS are delighted after plans for affordable homes in Hopwood have been refused due to green belt concerns.

A planning application for 15 affordable homes on Ash Lane was turned down by Bromsgrove planners as it would cause “significant harm to the green belt”.

Proposals included five, two-bedroom bungalows, of which three will be retirement bungalows for the over 55's, six two-bedroom homes and four three- bedroom family homes.

Judith Rees, who lives opposite the site shared her concerns at a planning meeting on Monday, February 7.

She said the residents of Ash Lane “object to the plans on grounds that it is inappropriate” and “there are no special circumstances to build on green belt”.

Judith added: “This site is the one remaining piece of open land on Ash Lane.

“The site is liable to flooding and tarmacking over the site would exacerbate this.”

Currently the lane floods due to heavy rain and excess water from the Worcester and Birmingham canal, which would be at the rear of the proposed site.

However, Chris Whitehouse from NextPhase Development, the applicant’s agent, said the proposals brings forward affordable homes “to an area that needs it”.

He added: “The scheme provides a quality provision and design.”

Judith said the point of access to the site is situated on the narrowest part of the road, restricting visibility.

Ash Lane is the main access point for Hopwood Garden Centre, and two rugby clubs: Five Ways Old Edwardians RFC and Kings Norton RFC.

Residents expressed their concerns about the possibility of adding another 30 cars to an already busy and tight lane.

Meeting documents stated that the location of the development “would mean that future occupiers would be reliant upon motor vehicles as a means of transport” and those without a vehicle would not be able to access near services.