MORE than 80 people who joined a mass walk over Halesowen’s threatened Coombeswood Green Wedge were told proposed housing would destroy a wildlife corridor.

Conservationist Roy Burgess, who led last Saturday’s walk, said the greenbelt land also featured a unique Black Country view, which housing would obliterate.

Landowner and property developer St Modwen are believed to be considering applying for planning permission to build around 80 homes on a field at Firtree Farm later this year.

Mr Burgess, who is also a member of the Hales Owen Abbey Trust said everyone who joined the three-mile walk would object to building proposals.

He said: “They couldn’t believe how beautiful the wedge is now compared to 20 or 30 years ago when the tipping finished, when it looked like a lunar landscape.

“Housing would stop the flow of species along a vital corridor for wildlife migration.

“It is also unique countryside with views of factory chimneys, the town centre and Clent Hills, a typical Black Country scene, which is also part of our heritage being where William Shenstone would have walked and the monks of Hales Owen Abbey.”

The abbey trust restored the wedge over 10 years up to 1997 planting thousands of trees and re-opening public footpaths. Only last month volunteers cleared an ancient green lane to improve access.

Trust secretary Mick Freer said the walk was a “huge success”.

He added the threatened land was the “last vestige of virgin agricultural land on the wedge” – the rest of which cannot be built on because it is contaminated.

St Modwen’s senior development surveyor Ian Romano denied the company was currently discussing a planning application, although earlier this year he had talks some interest groups about housing plans.

He said: “At this stage, we are doing no more than considering our options for the Halesowen area.”