Bradley is backing Bromsgrove Golf Club in their fight to oppose the course being lost forever to 1,300 new homes.
As a result of the Government increasing Bromsgrove’s housing target by 85%, land at and adjacent to Bromsgrove Golf Centre has been earmarked for housing development.
The local MP recently met with Bromsgrove Golf Club's Gentlemen's Club Captain, Lee Machin, at the course to discuss the Club's opposition to the proposals and Bradley’s Parliamentary petition to save our greenbelt.
Bromsgrove Golf Club is open to the public and has more than 1,000 members. It's also thought to be home to the largest junior academy in England.
It’s also believed the course boasts more than 25,000 trees – all of which are under threat from potential housing developments.
The land at and adjacent to the Club has been earmarked for development in Bromsgrove District Council’s draft Local Plan for future housing development which is currently out for public consultation.
The Council must conduct a consultation. Failing to do so could see Whitehall civil servants take over – leaving the District Council out of the process completely – meaning no local democratic accountability.
Bromsgrove District is 89% greenbelt and 79% rural, but the Government has made the decision to reduce Birmingham’s target by 31% - despite the city having at least 140 hectares of brownfield land that could be built on.
As part of his ongoing work to save our greenbelt, Bradley has launched a parliamentary petition which has so far been signed by more 2,500 people.
The petition demands that the Government justifies the ‘flawed’ formula used to calculate the 85% increase in Bromsgrove’s housing target to rebalance the housing target so that Birmingham takes its fair share.
It also demands that the planned 85% increase in Bromsgrove District’s housing target is reversed, in addition to the reversal of the reduction in Birmingham’s housing target to ensure the burden is shared in a fair and proportionate way and only allow new houses to be built when the accompanying infrastructure is provided.
Following his visit, Bradley said:
“Bromsgrove Golf Club and its members have my full support in opposing these proposals.
“Not only is the land unsuitable for development, but it also makes no sense that, when the population of Bromsgrove is set to grow, the leisure facilities on offer are reduced.
“I’m continuing to urge residents to sign my Parliamentary petition to save our greenbelt. If you agree with me that it’s unfair that our housing target has been massively increased when Birmingham’s has been increased – then please sign my petition.”
Lee Machin added:
"The potential loss of Bromsgrove Golf Club would have a far-reaching impact on our community. This space isn’t just a golf course, it’s a vital hub for social connection across all age groups and offers a strong sense of purpose, particularly for our senior members.
“It is also home to diverse wildlife, including deer, herons, and birds of prey, all of which depend on this valuable greenbelt land.
“And I completely agree with Bradley that we must increase leisure facilities as our community grows not reduce them."
Residents can sign Bradley’s petition by clicking here.
