Residents need to register to have their say on Hagley homes

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THE DEVELOPERS behind controversial plans to build a housing estate in Hagley have urged residents to have their say on the more detailed designs.

CALA Homes, which was granted outline permission to build 175 homes at land Kidderminster Road last month, will be holding two workshops - the first on Saturday February 23 and the second on Monday February 25.

Places are limited and anyone interested has been urged to register on the developer’s website before 5pm Friday February 15.

A CALA spokeswoman said people would be selected at random and confirmation of attendance would be sent out along with details of the venue which was yet to be agreed.

The developer is hoping the workshops will help appease residents concerns after the application which has received wide spead opposition from locals.

CALA is hoping to submit more detailed plans - reserved matters - for the council’s approval in April.

Darren Humphreys, regional managing director for CALA Homes, said: “We appreciate this is a significant development for the village and are committed to keeping local people updated and involved throughout the process.

“We want to work together to create a development we can all be proud of.”

However, Francesca Evans from the Hagley Residents’ Action Group (HRAG) remained sceptical at the notion people’s views were being listened to.

“There doesn’t seem to be any form of recognition of any of our opinions or planning objections.

“I do wonder why the council invites comments via its website but doesn’t seem to validate our objections or recognise them.

“When a community actively revolts against a project to the tune of 1,200 written objections, 4,000 plus signatures on a petition, public demonstrations and set ups an action group of people who have put their lives on hold for six months in order to try and stop something they believe to be intrinsically wrong - we feel it is definitely a red flag.”

Ms Evans added HRAG was still committed to achieving the best outcome for residents even though the plans had already been given the go ahead in principle.

Coun Steven Colella, ward member for the area, said Hagley Parish Council was still pursuing a judicial review of the decision.

Visit www.cala.co.uk/hagley to register for the upcoming workshops or e-mail hagley.info@cala.co.uk for more information.

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