HIGHWAY issues are among a host of topics that have led to councillors putting plans to build 500 new homes in Rock Hill on hold.

The proposals were discussed at a packed Bromsgrove District Council planning meeting on Thursday night.

After more than three and a half hours of representation and debate, the planning committee ruled that the proposals be deferred until a future date yet to be determined.

The committee is seeking further clarity on highway matters, walking and cycling opportunities and medical infrastructure.

Interest was so high in the plans that the council opened an extra room for an overflow of attendees, screening the meeting on a television for all to watch.

Developers Catesby Estates have put forward the proposals for land off Whitford Road and Albert Road, including the site of the derelict Greyhound pub.

Past proposals for the site have been rejected by the council and there have a been a number of objections to the latest plans.

As part of the scheme, Catesby would be compelled to contribute more than £4million to transport infrastructure in the vicinity.

Prior to the meeting, John Gerner, of residents' group Whitford Vale Voice, contacted the Advertiser to express concerns that the proposals would worsen traffic and congestion issues in the area.

WVV were one of the main objectors to the previous application when it was refused in 2017.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Mr Gerner, WVV transport spokesman, said: "We have submitted to the Council a series of detailed and carefully considered technical notes outlining our concerns about the impacts of this development on highway safety and congestion at multiple locations across Bromsgrove.

“Many of the issues we have raised are still unanswered.

"We will be bringing them to the attention of the planning committee on Thursday and urging that the application be refused on the grounds that the impact of development on our already congested roads has not been fully assessed.

"As the Planning Inspector for the previously refused version of the application concluded, this is something that is not supported by National Planning Policy.

“We are firmly of the opinion that Bromsgrove needs a Western Distributor Road.

"Based on Worcestershire County Council cost estimates and announcements for infrastructure spending by Sajid Javid for other areas of the country, the 30-year case for housing growth in Bromsgrove shows a distributor road, improvements to the A38 and other road schemes are all affordable.

“The Council is currently undertaking a Strategic Transport Assessment (STA) to inform where sustainable development should be located in its Green Belt Review.

"Clearly building on the Whitford Road site would stymie delivery of the southern section of a distributor road. An outcome that would be prejudicial to the outcome of the STA and Green Belt Review.”