Council gives Redditch second chance to approve housing talks

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BROMSGROVE councillors have urged their Redditch counterparts to re-consider their decision not to consult with residents about the building of thousands of homes between the two areas.

The plans are to develop 3,400 properties to ensure Redditch Borough Council meets its housing demands up until 2030.

It will expand housing in the Foxlydiate and Brockhill areas of the borough however the land falls under Bromsgrove district.

The Housing Growth Consultation was due to start today (Monday February 25) however due to a voting mix-up Redditch Borough Council failed to get the document approved.

The vote was taken while two Labour members were out of the room at the authority's full council meeting last week. It meant the controlling group were outnumbered by the Conservatives who do not think the new homes are needed.

Bromsgrove District Council approved the document at their own full council meeting last Wednesday (February 20).

Councillors also agreed to send a letter to Bill Hartnett, leader of Redditch Borough Council to appeal for them to change their position as a matter of urgency under the 'duty to cooperate' enforced by the Localism Act.

The consultation has now been pushed back to April 1 and the matter will be addressed at Redditch's next full council meeting on March 25.

Coun Roger Hollingworth said: "We firmly believe that it is in the best interests of our residents to carry out cross boundary consultation on this important document.

"Not least because potential sites in Bromsgrove have been identified to take on Redditch’s housing allocation.

"Whatever happens we still plan to launch the consultation on April 1."

Coun Bill Hartnett also welcomed the move.

"Cross boundary consultation is important so we can take on board comments from all our residents and I am pleased to give this important document further consideration." he added.

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