The Labour Group on Dudley Council have said they strongly oppose the Conservative Council’s proposals to build on the Borough’s green spaces and green belts.

The announcement follows the publication of the Black Country Plan last week, which will be considered on 5th July at a full meeting of the Cabinet before it is put out to the public for consultation.

The plan includes proposals for building homes on green spaces and the green belt in a number of locations across the Borough and on peripheral sites which will impact on local people. Cllr Qadar Zada, leader of the Labour group said:

"The Labour position on this is quite simple; we oppose any building on these precious spaces. When the Borough is full, it is full. Why is the Conservative Council imposing massive developments on local people without any consideration to the pressure on schools, doctors surgeries and roads?

"Local people do not want this and it is time the Council listened to them. These recent proposals are very dangerous as they set a precedent to build on green spaces.

"Also, under the duty to co-operate, they are forcing other neighbouring authorities to consider building on their green belt too, putting more green sites near Dudley's boundary at risk-just to help Dudley make up the numbers.

"There are many vacant and neglected properties in the Borough which can be brought back into use. The irony is the council itself has hundreds of vacant homes but it insists on building on our precious green spaces instead. Labour will fight tooth and nail to protect them.

"The planning department in Dudley led by the Conservatives have failed us and are now advising that we have no choice but to make concrete jungles out of natural areas of beauty. There is just no need to encroach on green spaces and to threaten natural habitats or the quality of
life of residents.

"These areas are valued by communities. We are listening to them and we will stand up for them, no ifs or buts.