FEARS for the future of the area's green spaces have been expressed after a controversial 'call out' has gone to landowners and developers.

It was recently reported that Bromsgrove District Council had given the green light to people to put potential building sites forward as it struggles to meet a pressing need for housing.

Council chiefs were discussing the controversial plans which could see houses built on Bromsgrove’s green belt land, as part of the Bromsgrove District Plan.

At a highly emotional meeting, which saw a number of passionate speeches about protecting the town’s green spaces, councillors agreed to invite landowners and developers to offer land for development - despite pleas for the plans to be put on hold.

Following the meeting, on September 25, councillor Steve Colella, for Hagley West, said the council should have held back before calling for site suggestions.

"The council should have waited to see what the exact housing numbers are, what the actual need is," he said.

"By doing this it is now open season on the town's green spaces. I can see see lots of landowners and developers getting in touch."

He also said by putting the call out now it will be misleading to landowners and developers that Bromsgrove will be a "honey pot and untethered source of corporate profit and family fortunes".

The cllr added: "The threat of more homes concerns residents greatly. A lot of land in places such as Hagley, Barnt Green, and Alvechurch are all potential building sites."

A consultation into the plans will run for six weeks from today (Monday September 30).

Although, people will still be able to have a say on any plans after that date.

At this stage documents do not contain information on where new developments may be, but will help in making decisions in the future alongside a wide range of other evidence.

This could include looking to the green belt.