Housing consultation in disarray

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PLANS to build thousands of houses in the next two decades have been left in disarray.

Consultation was due to start on Monday (February 25) on a growth strategy which sets out where more than 6,000 homes should be placed in Redditch and over the border on Bromsgrove land before 2030.

But two Labour councillors were not in the room when the vote was taken leaving the group outvoted by 13 votes to 14 when all Conservative councillors voted against the proposals.

The document is expected to go out to consultation in Bromsgrove following a vote at the district council's meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) but as a result of the vote in Redditch, residents in the borough cannot currently be asked about the plans.

Coun Greg Chance, portfolio holder for planning and regeneration, said: "Unfortunately because there were more Conservative councillors around the table than Labour members as the vote was taken, it means that this important cross boundary consultation can not take place.

"We are currently considering our options and concerns around this decision."

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