COUNCILLORS and residents gathered outside the gates of the former North Worcestershire Golf Club last week to protest plans for 1,000 homes to built on its fields.

Bloor Homes submitted the proposal to redevelop the 80-acre site to Birmingham City Council in March, after the club was closed due to financial troubles.

But residents in Longbridge and the surrounding area are concerned that queues of traffic on the A38 will only get worse with the influx of so many families.

Around 40 people turned out to protest the plans on Wednesday, June 15, including Councillor Andy Cartwright, who said the development would cause a "traffic nightmare".

He said: "I've now put myself down to talk at the planning meeting. Longbridge has already had its quadrant of housing built, and can local schools really take in these people, and the local doctors surgeries - that's what people are worried about."

But Bloor Homes insist the plans have received a balance of views, both for and against the proposal. They say the land is a "highly deliverable site within the urban area".

The proposed development includes a two form entry primary school, play areas, an eco park and a community hub building with the potential for a church, a doctor’s surgery and changing rooms.