Plans for up to 115 homes on Green Belt land in Himley have been refused amid concerns over transport links, highway safety and the impact on the village.
This article is based on reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a BBC funded initiative set up to strengthen reporting on local democratic issues. The Staffordshire Signal has taken part in the scheme since September 2026, which means we're able to draw on a selection of LDRS stories alongside our own.
What’s new: Planning officers have refused an application for up to 115 homes on a 5.17 hectare Green Belt site north of Bridgnorth Road in Himley.
By the numbers: The application attracted 173 objections, while Himley Parish Council claimed the development would increase the village's housing stock by 62 per cent.
Why it matters: Officers cited the village's limited services, inadequate transport alternatives and concerns over highway safety despite a significant housing shortage in South Staffordshire.
Controversial plans to build up to 115 homes on greenbelt land in Himley have been refused over concerns about the unsustainable location and lack of transport links. Clowes Development (UK) Limited applied for outline planning permission on a 5.17 hectare field north of Bridgnorth Road.
The proposal included up to 50 per cent affordable housing, public open space and a play area. Planning officers have refused the application saying the development would result in a ‘disproportionate expansion of Himley’ and the application fails to demonstrate improvements to infrastructure.
The application received objections from Swindon Parish Council and Himley Parish Council, both of which raised concerns over the increase in traffic. Himley Parish Council also claimed that the development would increase the number of properties in the village by 62 per cent.
The conservation officer at South Staffordshire Council said the development would cause harm to the conservation area and could not support the application. Staffordshire County Council Highways said crucial supporting information remains outstanding, including updated traffic modelling, a road safety audit and an assessment of walking and cycling routes, and without this a full recommendation cannot be made.
The application received 173 letters of objection. Many of them state that the proposal would erode the distinction between existing settlements and open countryside, the fact that the site is not allocated in the local plan and the lack of existing facilities in the village.
Planning officers said the development would make a substantial contribution to housing delivery in the district. The five year housing land supply is 0.87 years. This shortfall means that there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.
In refusing the application, planning officers state:
“In refusing the application, planning officers state:”
“Himley is not a sustainable location, and is not identified for housing growth in either the Core Strategy or the emerging Local Plan. Himley has limited services, and although it is served by a bus service, this is not considered to be sufficient enough to provide reasonable alternatives in accordance with Policy TR3 of the NPPF.
“As such, the principle of development is not acceptable. The proposal is not considered to secure an acceptable level of highway safety for both cars and pedestrians, and therefore the necessary improvements to local infrastructure cannot be achieved.
“The proposal is required to demonstrate very special circumstances in line with Policy GB6 of the NPPF. The very special circumstances have been considered, and do not outweigh the harm identified to the proposal, by way of loss of openness and the lack of sustainability merits for the location.”
Written by Jonathan Sutton, Local Democracy Reporter.
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