Second chance to look at plans for green belt

4:57pm Wednesday 11th June 2008

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A developer who wants to move a sports club onto Halesowen green belt has pledged to hold another public showcase of proposals before a planning application is submitted to the council in July.

St Modwen's bid to move Coombs Wood Sports and Social Club onto nearby fields which form part of the Coombs Wood Green Wedge has caused uproar amongst residents.

They say the wedge is a haven for wildlife but St Modwen wants to put the club on the wedge so it can sell its present site in Coombs Road for housing.

The firm said it will hold another public showcase before proposals are submitted to Dudley Council in July - a month later than originally expected.

It will be another exhibition-style event despite criticisms from protestors who would prefer a formal public meeting.

A spokesman said the firm had taken advice and an exhibition-style event was recommended as it would give residents a chance to raise questions and discuss proposals with members of its project team.

Ian Romano from St Modwen said: "Extensive work has been undertaken on the local environment and ecology following comments made at the last public exhibition and this will inform the masterplan for all three sites.

"We will also be seeking to improve the community engagement structure to provide more detailed information about the scheme. "

Sue Westbury, of The Friends of Coombeswood, a group formed to fight plans, said it would prefer a sit-down question and answer session and said the previous consultation was "inadequate".

She said people found the fact they had to fill out a form giving their address details "intimidating".

Sue said: "We would urge local people to attend this meeting if it is forthcoming, not only to understand the huge implication of the impact on the vast amount of wildlife that depends on our few remaining open green spaces but also to have an informed argument when writing letters of objection to Dudley Council's planning committee."

St Modwen said proposals will secure the long term future of the Coombs Wood Sports and create an environmental zone at Olive Hill Primary School which backs onto the green wedge.

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