CAMPAIGNERS against plans for a housing development proposal for Webheath’s ADR (area of development restraint) have accused Redditch Council of damaging residents’ faith in local democratic processes.

Representatives from the Webheath Action Group (WAG) have spent years fighting plans for 600 homes in Webheath and a further 2,800 homes on land behind Foxlydiate Lane.

The controversial proposals are part of The Bromsgrove District Plan (BDP) and Borough of Redditch Local Plan No. 4 (BORLP4).

In a recent report HMI Simon Hetherington described a fatal flaw and said he had concerns in the council’s local plan outlining the proposed developments.

Inspector Mr Hetherington suggested this should be revisited, and that the two sites be looked at in more detail.

In a joint response, with Bromsgrove District Council, the council said it would carry out additional work to address the concerns.

At a council meeting last week members of WAG questioned Redditch Council leader Councillor Bill Hartnett for his views on the inspector’s concerns.

Mr Hartnett answered the questions but members of the action group were not happy with his answer, saying they were dissatisfied.

Speaking after the meeting David Rose, chair of WAG, said: "I was shocked and dismayed by the leader's attitude and refusal to answer those questions asked. What a farce... myself and other residents were insulted and we were treated abysmally. This is not democracy - this is a sham and unacceptable.

"The replies given were inadequate and those attitudes expressed, brusque to the point of insulting. Questions were not answered and attitudes were defensive, evasive and dismissive."

Mr Rose added that he has sent the questions to Mr Hartnett and would like an answer.

He said the action group would now wait to see how the council will remedy the concerns mentioned in Mr Hetherington's report.

Mr Hartnett said: "I am sorry that Mr Rose was not happy with the answers I gave, however they are the facts of the matter.

"As a council we will be looking to address the inspectors initial findings and I would reiterate that after the Local Plan examination for Local Plan No. 4 re-convenes the inspector will let us all know of his final conclusions. The continued progression of the plan will be in the public arena."