Homes will destroy rural setting, says museum

Bosses at a museum in Worcestershire have hit out at proposals for 293 homes next to their site, saying it would "destroy" the area's rural setting.

Developers want to build an estate on Buntsford Hill, agricultural land next to Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove.

Zoe Willems, from the museum, said: "It's absolutely devastating - it will really impact on the setting, as well as our museum as a whole."

A spokesperson for the developer Barberry called it a "highly sustainable location" for "much needed" new homes.

The land is green belt, but in the planning application the developer argued that it should be regarded as "grey belt" and pledged to make 50% of it affordable housing.

Grey belt is a recognised planning term introduced by the Labour government to speed up house building in areas where a council's housing targets cannot be met.

Willems said: "The countryside around our beautiful museum would be full of houses if this gets approved.

"Once it's gone, it's gone. I've never heard of green belt land going back to what it was.

"It will really impact on the museum setting - this rural setting we are in is really intrinsic to the whole experience of the museum."

Councillor David Nicholl, who helped organise a public meeting to rally opposition to the project, said locals had dubbed it "the battle of Buntsford Hill".

"This site was rejected in last year's draft local plan as unsuitable," he said.

"This is a direct threat to our green belt and some of Bromsgrove's most precious heritage assets.

"Imagine getting married by the iconic Avoncroft windmill with a building site behind. Is that what residents want to see?"

Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas, who was also at the meeting, said: "I'm standing with Avoncroft Museum and residents in the fight against this inappropriate development which will destroy our precious green belt if it's approved.

"This land is not earmarked in the district council's emerging local plan and should therefore be rejected by local councillors."

He also said he felt the definition of grey belt is "flawed", and pointed to the volume of underdeveloped brownfield land in the town.

Currently, 89% of land within the Bromsgrove district is classed as green belt, which is one of the highest figures in England.

The developer, Barberry, said the site was close to public amenities and would help meet an acute need for new housing in Bromsgrove.

A spokesperson said: "The application site adjoins the southern edge of Bromsgrove town - it is the most sustainable location for development (in the area) and is within easy access to a range of services and facilities and employment opportunities.

"The development will provide much-needed market and affordable homes, helping to address the district's chronic housing land supply shortfall."

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