Surplus land by four Redditch homes is to be released for housing development - The Redditch Standard

Surplus land by four Redditch homes is to be released for housing development

Redditch Editorial 17th Jan, 2021   0

SURPLUS land by four Redditch homes is to be released for housing development.

The pockets of land are located by 29 Berkeley Close, Winyates Green, by 34 and 46 Badger Close, Winyates West, and 54 Ledbury Close, Matchborough East.

Councillors at Tuesday night’s executive committee meeting heard the land at Berkeley Close already had outline planning permission for two three-bedroom homes while the land by 34 Badger Close, formerly a play area, had outline permission for one three-bedroom house.

In addition, there were plans to seek approval for a three-bed bungalow at 46 Badger Close.




The land by 54 Ledbury Close, also largely a former play area, was now being considered for a four-bedroom house.

Councillors were told receipts from the sale of the land would go into council coffers.


However, a recommendation from Coun Bill Hartnett (Lab, Church Hill) that the four sites be retained to increase its own housing stock sparked some lively exchanges.

Conservative members questioned why, as Labour had built no council properties while they were in power – without mentioning Labour had indeed built homes, albeit through Redditch Co-operative Housing, part of Accord Social Housing.

In retaliation Labour accused Conservatives of not having built any council homes either, saying all they needed to do was ‘attach the doorbell’ to the final properties started by Labour when they took office two years ago.

Council Leader Coun Matt Dormer (Con, West) said: “There are a lot of pockets of land that will be coming to executive at different stages.

“I think if we kept every single one and built on every single one that would be over-ambitious.

“Building council houses is high on our agenda and we will be retaining some parcels of land and releasing some for general development.”

Labour’s recommendation was defeated and approval was give for the four pockets of land to be disposed of.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Redditch Standard.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.