PRESS RELEASE – NEW HOUSING IN ALVECHURCH PARISH – Dated 16th July 2025
- Following on from the information provided yesterday, and the briefing given by the BDC Strategic Planners last night to representatives of APC, we can now pass on further important details relating to the new housing proposals in our Parish.
- Many residents have asked pertinent questions relating to the BDC’s process and proposals. APC can now direct residents to information issued by BDC which provides answers to many of the queries raised. We’re including below copies of the most relevant pages of BDC’s Draft Development Strategy publication as this information probably provides most of the answers to the questions raised by residents. By informing ourselves now of the reasons and process BDC has embarked on we can help speed up the necessary actions and information gathering needed to make our strong and reasoned arguments which will be submitted as part of APC’s consultation response and by as many of us as individual residents. These arguments will be backed up by the results of our recent questionnaire.
- Please note, there are four stages to the whole consultation process. The first is the current ‘draft’ Development Strategy proposals. The current consultation responses may, or hopefully will, influence amendments to the draft proposals which will then be consulted on as part of the stage 2 consultation process scheduled to be carried out during June and July (8 weeks) in 2026. At this stage, the proposals will also include BDC’s draft proposals for the allocation of ‘employment land’. The stage 3 consultation is programmed to take place for 6 weeks starting in April 2027. Following this stage, BDC will amend their Local Plan, as considered necessary, before submitting it to the Government Planning Inspector for his/her consideration by July 2028. The Inspector may accept the Plan or could send it back to BDC if he/she considers there are parts of it that need to be reviewed. Important to note that at each stage the D Cllrs will vote on whether to progress to the next stage. It is not a BDC Officers decision to make.
- Although within the time frame stated above a new Unitary Authority is likely to take over responsibilities for ‘Planning’ matters, it is generally accepted that the work and Local Plan currently being progressed by BDC will be adopted and acted on by the new Authority.
- There has been a preliminary date proposed for BDC’s Strategic Officers to hold an ‘exhibition’ in Alvechurch. This is Thursday 7th August between 10am and 8pm. The venue for this is likely to be the Village Hall. Details are yet to be confirmed. APC has requested that 2 such ‘exhibition’ meetings are held in the village due to the significant number of new housing proposed in our village and because the proposed date is during prime time holiday season when many residents will be away. BDC are considering APC’s request. Residents can also attend other scheduled ‘exhibition’ meetings planned throughout the District and details of these will be made available. As an example, there’s an ‘exhibition’ meeting planned in Barnt Green on the 2nd of September and in Bromsgrove on the 17th July, 28th August and 6th September, as well as others in different locations.
- It’s important to know and emphasise that to have any success of having the current draft Development Strategy proposals for Alvechurch changed to reflect the views of residents expressed to APC and our District Cllrs., we need to have strong and valid arguments, as well as alternative suggestions or proposals to put to the Strategic Planning Team at BDC. This is where our residents can help. Firstly by keep letting us have your views through completing our questionnaire and secondly by offering your expertise on any of the key subjects of importance related to the proposed increased housing numbers. This could be expertise related to main utilities provision, drainage and sewerage treatment, NHS or school provision as examples. If you would like to help, please contact APC’s office – 0121 447 8016.
- Over the next few weeks APC will continue to collaborate with our District Councillors to promote the views and concerns of our residents and help guide them through the process of submitting their consultation response direct to BDC. APC will also be providing information on how our residents can help to hopefully secure the maximum developer financial contributions (Section 106 monies) being allocated to our Parish as part of the current process.
- Finally, please do read the information provided, you’ll find it useful and helpful. Shame ‘Alvechurch’ is spelt incorrectly on the map on page 23!
PRESS RELEASE – NEW HOUSING IN ALVECHURCH PARISH – Dated 15th July 2025
The Parish Council is very grateful for all the completed questionnaires submitted to us by residents. We have had in the region of some 575 returned to us, which is fantastic! We’ll be keeping our online questionnaire open and would encourage anyone who has not yet responded to do so, and if you need a paper copy, please contact the Parish Office – Tel no. 0121 447 8016
APC will soon be publishing the results of our consultation, but you will not be surprised to know that the results received to date indicate there is a majority in favour of new housing being limited to 250 new homes or less
The results will now be used as the formal basis of a consultation response by APC to the Strategic Planning team at BDC representing the majority views of our residents.
Parish Council representatives are attending a briefing meeting tonight at BDC’s offices to be better informed on Council plans to hold local meetings when our residents will have the opportunity to quiz Officers on their proposals. We understand currently only one local opportunity to meet BDC Officers has been planned for our Parish and our representatives will be making the case that at least two local meetings should be allocated for our Parish, especially as these are likely to be held but the peak holiday period.
APC and our District Cllrs are collaborating to represent the views of our residents and will be holding our own briefing meetings to help explain how residents can and should still play an important part in influencing the housing proposals currently planned by BDC. These meetings will be publicised in due course.
Finally, it is clear that we have many residents within the Parish with specific knowledge and expertise that may wish to assist APC in formulating a coherent and robust case to reduce the amount of new housing planned in the village. The Parish Council would urge you to please get in contact to offer your help.
We would very much welcome hearing from you.
Please email Assistantclerk@alvechurch.gov.uk or phone the Council Office 0121 447 8016
Bromsgrove District Council (BDC) must build 9,000 new homes over the next 15 years, with Alvechurch Parish expected to take its share. BDC has proposed 500 new homes for Alvechurch Village — 400 near the train station (ALV01) and 100 off Old Rectory Lane (ALV02). You can view the full proposal here (Alvechurch details start on page 42).
Alvechurch’s strong transport links and quality of life make it a prime location, but this level of development could have a lasting impact. While new housing can bring benefits, it must be matched with proper infrastructure and community input.
Alvechurch Parish Council (APC) is a consultee, not the decision-maker, but we want to ensure your views are heard. We’ve updated our online questionnaire to reflect new information released by BDC on 11 June. If you’ve already responded, your input still counts — but you’re welcome to submit updated responses.
The online form can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/UHmTyb7qUy
Share your views and help shape the future of our Parish.