CAMPAIGNERS battling plans to build nearly 200 homes on Bewdley farm land have been given a boost after town councillors rejected the proposal.

Bewdley Town Council’s planning committee unanimously agreed that the application by Gladman Developments for a 195 house estate off Lakes Road would have an adverse effect on the area.

Their reasons are based on the huge increase to traffic which in turn would only add to existing pollution problems in Welch Gate.

The outline planning application has been submitted to Wyre Forest District Council and Bewdley’s decision will form part of the overall consultation process.

Gladman’s proposal sparked a storm of protest from Bewdley residents, businesses and councillors leading to the formation of the ‘Say No to Gladman’ campaign.

They believe the development will ruin the landscape value of the area, add to existing traffic and pollution problems and increase pressure on schools and medical facilities.

More than 200 residents have submitted objections to Wyre Forest District Council’s planning department in the past two weeks.

Councillor Derek Killingworth, Chairman of the Bewdley Town Council Planning Committee said: “The development has the potential to increase the number of vehicles using the road network by hundreds of vehicles per day.

“The affect this additional traffic would have on the Welch Gate Air Quality Management Area would be unacceptable, as is the proposed single access to the development off The Lakes Road.

“This Committee is also satisfied that Wyre Forest District Council’s five year land supply is up to date, and that this development is not needed in order to meet this requirement.”

Mayor of Bewdley Councillor John Beeson added: "I'm satisfied that the Town Council’s Planning Committee came to the right conclusion after diligently looking at all the pros and cons.

“The proposed outline application doesn't reflect the community’s wishes according to our emerging Neighbourhood Plan survey, and the site is not allocated in the District Council’s current Local Plan.

“I acknowledge that we need more housing but we must ensure future developments are of an appropriate scale and in the right location.”

A spokesperson for the Council said “The Town Council are in the process of producing a Neighbourhood Plan for Bewdley which will give the community the power to decide the location and size of new housing developments.

“Results of the recent survey released before this application was submitted show that large developments of this kind and in this location are not supported by the community.”