Back off: Fury at plans to move sports club to green belt so homes can be built (From Halesowen News)

Back off: Fury at plans to move sports club to green belt so homes can be built

4:47pm Thursday 28th February 2008

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Protestors are up in arms at "tragic" proposals which they say will decimate precious Halesowen green belt in a bid to build houses.

Developer St Modwen wants to sell the Coombs Wood Sports and Social Club site in Coombs Road for housing - so it is proposing to build a new club on nearby fields which form part of the Coombs Wood green wedge.

Nearby residents say the fields are home to bats, owls, skylarks, herons and rare butterflies and are a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).

A public meeting has been called by St Modwen at Olive Hill Primary School, Springfield Road, on Wednesday March 12.

Campaigner Sue Westbury, of Ridgefield Road, urged people to attend to fight plans.

She said: "These fields are used daily by dog walkers, ramblers, cyclists, joggers, bird watchers and local children.

"Schools and colleges use them for nature walks.

"The threat to wildlife is of grave concern.

"This green belt site is of great importance to nature conservation which will be in peril if proposals go ahead.

"It would be tragic if the area were lost for purely monetary gain."

Under proposals St Modwen would use cash from the sale of the five-acre Coombs Road site to build a new pavillion and clubhouse, cricket pitch and bowling green on seven acres of the Coombs Wood green wedge. The firm has also pledged to create two sports pitches, a children's play area and conservation zone on two and a half acres of the green wedge for Olive Hill Primary which backs onto the land.

Councillor Lesley Faulkner, who asked for the public meeting, said: "The residents feel they are to be the losers and are willing to fight.

"The cricket club is obviously very popular - it has a large membership. It's important to them to be able to move forward and the enhancements at the school will be of great benefit but I wouldn't like to see this happen at the expense of Stewarts Road residents and all the other people who use it."

The entire green wedge covers a space of 120 acres - St Modwen own 90 acres of the site.

A statement from St Modwen stated: "The sports and social club have agreed in principle to the relocation which will now be worked up in further detail.

"St Modwen will extensively consult with local residents close to all three sites prior to submitting a planning application.

"A public consultation meeting at which residents will have the opportunity to comment on proposals has been arranged for March 12."

The meeting starts at 6pm. See page 21 for a form which must be filled in to attend.

To have your say on the proposals click on the comment button or vote in our online ballot.

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