The council is set to give itself permission to build almost 500 homes on an important piece of green land in the city
Coventry City Council identified a 42-acre site at Browns Lane in Coundon to build 475 homes on as part of its Local Plan - a document which sets out where regeneration can take place in the city in the future.
It says the move will support vital housing growth in the city, and ensure that local people have an appropriate choice of housing as 25 per cent of the homes will be affordable.
As the council plans to sell off the site to a developer, this would also give the authority extra cash to put into its coffers for future financial years.
But Cllr Gary Ridley - leader of the Conservative opposition - says the site is partly within the Coundon Wedge, an attractive stretch of countryside on the north-western outskirts of Coventry.
Cllr Ridley said: "John Mutton, when he became leader back in 2010, said 'We're not going to build on any greenbelt'.
"We've had this pledge from the Labour party time and time again.
"This council is planning a load of homes on this site which will then make money for the council. This is the decision they are making, and they are going to make a fortune despite their promises to residents."
Plans to build nearly 500 houses on green space in Coventry move step closer
PLANS to build nearly 500 houses on green space in Coventry have moved a step closer sparking criticism from opposition councillors.
Coventry City Council rubberstamped initial proposals for 475 homes on the council-owned land next to Browns Lane, Coundon, at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (October 30).
A final decision will be made at a full council meeting in December.
The council has argued the Brown’s Lane site has not been greenbelt land for over a decade after being allocated for a proposed 40,000 square metre storage and distribution warehouse at the southern end of the former Jaguar Browns Lane site.
Opposition Conservative councillors follow a brownfield first approach to housebuilding in Coventry.
They have long criticised the council’s ‘broken pledge’ to protect all greenbelt and green fields surrounding the city.
Why villagers on the outskirts of Coventry oppose plans for nearly 500 houses
An outline planning application for up to 475 houses in rural Coventry will be drawn up by the council despite fierce opposition from residents.
Cabinet agreed to the preparation and submission of an outline planning application for the residential development on land at Browns Lane last week.
The site was used to form part of the green belt and was set aside for a potential Jaguar Land Rover development in 2001, which never materialised.
It was then set aside for development in the Coventry Local Plan last year.
The council says the development would deliver housing needs and provide revenue.
But residents fear Allesley would not cope with the size of the development due to lack of infrastructure, and claim the council is putting "money before residents".
At the meeting, Cllr Ken Taylor said: "We are very much against the development.
"The comments that we are getting back from the local residents and the reality is whether it has the capability for 475 houses.
"I understand this is an outline planning application, but the reality is there is a massive amount of concern and as we go to the planning approval we need to cover the ground as to what we are doing as at the moment people are very concerned."
This is why residents in Allesley are angry about house building
More houses could be built on former green belt land in Coventry - but the proposals have sparked fears over road safety.
Bloor Homes' application to demolish Chestnut and Hawkesmill Nurseries and build a new 81-home development will be heard by the council on Thursday.
A site entrance will be made by demolishing two houses on Browns Lane, Allesley, but this has led to serious concerns over the impact on road safety.
Highways had previously lodged a dozen objections, citing poor visibility due to a nearby 'blind bend', as well as recent fatal accidents near the site - three in five years.
The developer has since agreed to pay Section 106 contributions for a mini roundabout.
But neighbours from the Chestnut and Hawkes Mill Redevelopment Residents Association still hold grave fears.
Danny Conway, committee chairman, said: "What I cannot get my head around is there is a list of issues that have suddenly disappeared just because this money has come up.
"There have been three deaths and that shows that the issue is there.
"As you come out of Burton Close it is on a real bend. Every time you turn left you do it on a bit of a wing and a prayer.
"What we would like is for the issues to be sorted out rather than having it pushed under the carpet with no going back.
"They are throwing money at the problem but it is still going to be a safety problem."
Mr Conway, whose house on Burton Close backs onto the new homes, said residents are also concerned they will be overlooked by the development.
Building on land which was part of the green belt until up 2016 is also a worry.
He added: "In 10 years time this will be forgotten, but then there could be another set of houses and another. Before you know it you're at Birmingham Airport. Where does it stop?"
Decision made on new homes for former green belt land in Coventry
New homes have been granted approval on former green belt land in Coventry after last-minute haggling with the developer.
Bloor Homes proposed to demolish Chestnut and Hawkesmill Nurseries in Browns Lane, Allesley, and build a new 81-home development.
The item was presented to a planning committee on Thursday.
Concerns included a loss of privacy due to the distance between new houses and existing homes - although the meeting was told this was in line with policies.
Road safety and a £100,000 section 106 scheme for a roundabout at the entrance to the development off Browns Lane was also an issue.
Cllr Glenn Williams said: "That is a small amount of money and in addition nobody has seen the roundabout plans.
"Government guidelines say a roundabout should not be used at the junction of a new development and as a speed reduction method in isolation.
"There have been a number of fatalities on the site and the safety of residents must be a priority."
But a highways officer said while they too were initially concerned, those have now been addressed by the mini roundabout scheme.
Cllrs John McNicholas and Gary Crookes further indicated they would reject the plan as it did not provide spaces for children to play.
Cllr McNicholas said: "Where are they going to play? Climb the trees or go into the pond? We have got an excellent scheme but it does not go far enough."
But this was resolved after a break, with planning officer Mary-Ann Jones stating an agreement had been reached with Bloor Homes to provide an "informal play area".
The scheme, which develops on land formerly part of Coventry's green belt until 2016, was given unanimous approval.
But Cllr Williams said after the meeting: "I found it bizarre and concerning that developers could have a private meeting with planning officers during a short break, whilst still discussing the item.
"The residents think this looks awful and I have questioned it with the head of legal."
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