CAMPAIGNERS and Stourbridge's MP have celebrated the "very welcome news" that Corbett Meadow looks set to be protected from development.

The parcel of ancient meadowland, off Vicarage Road, Amblecote, has been under threat from developers and there were fears it could be built on in the near future.

But the Black Country Plan, published on June 25, includes a proposal to give the untouched site the same protection as green belt.

The Save the Corbett Meadow Action Group has been campaigning to preserve the land as it is for future generations, with backing from Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb and Amblecote councillors Paul Bradley, Pete Lee and Kamran Razzaq.

Ms Webb has since congratulated the campaigners on their tireless efforts to protect the much-cherished meadow and she said: “It was important to safeguard the land because this original, untouched part of Amblecote has significant archaeological, ecological and community value.

“Hopefully, this proposal will make the final local plan in 2024 and the meadow will now have much greater protection from developers than it has ever done."

The Tory MP, who has pledged to push for brownfield development first to protect open spaces and green belt from developers, added cautiously: “Until then it is not set in stone and we cannot be complacent but this is great news and a relief for residents."

A spokesperson for the action group added: "It is very welcome news that the Draft Black Country Plan, which is to be considered by the council's cabinet, rightly rejects the prospect of a housing development of Corbett Meadow and proposes its designation as a Local Green Space.

"We trust the cabinet will support the proposal and look forward to working with the council in taking matters forward.

“However, this is no time to be complacent as prospective developers continue to hover.

"We will be mustering support once the consultation opens and invite others to join us in the continuing fight to save the Corbett Meadow from housing development.

“The meadow was a gift to the people of Stourbridge by John Corbett and it should be managed in the public interest as he intended."