Our Proposals
The Case for new homes
All councils in England are expected to allocate land to deliver enough homes to meet the needs of the area and safeguard land for future development. In January 2025, the Government provided updated housing target for local Councils, increasing Bromsgrove District’s target and requiring Bromsgrove District Council to identify land to deliver an additional 9000 homes by 2043.
As such, Bromsgrove District Council have launched a review of their Local Plan. In June 2025, the Council published a Draft Development Strategy in which Wythall is highlighted as a large sustainable settlement suitable for development. The Strategy identified this Site as a preferred option for delivering up to 875 new homes in Wythall.
A Sustainable New Neighbourhood
Bellway seeks to create a sustainable development that contributes significantly to Bromsgrove District’s housing needs while seamlessly integrating with the existing communities of Wythall and Drakes Cross.
Our proposals, which align with the suggestions set out by Bromsgrove District Council, include:
- Delivery of up to 875 high-quality new homes
- A range of house types, sizes and tenures to cater for people at different stages of their lives
- 50% affordable homes – helping local people to access quality housing and get on the housing ladder
- Delivery of a new primary school to support the growth of Wythall
- A Local Centre for new and existing residents to enjoy
- A new ‘Mobility Hub’ including 50 car parking spaces, cycle parking and other sustainable transport modes to serve Wythall and Whitlocks End Train Stations, helping to alleviate existing problems with on-street parking
- Children’s and youth play facilities and open amenity space
- Enhancement of existing Public Rights of Way, including drainage improvements to the footpath through Harmony Wood
- New pedestrian routes and cycle paths across the site, connecting Drakes Cross and Hollywood with easier access to Wythall village and Wythall Train Station
- Extensive public open space including pocket parks, open grasslands, a new nature trail along the brook and areas for nature
- Biodiversity improvements including strengthening existing hedgerows and coppices, new tree planting and habitat creation along the brook
- Sustainable drainage features integrated into green corridors as ponds, swales, and wetland meadows, providing ecological habitats, as well as helping to remediate flooding issues on Lea Green Lane.
Masterplans
Thoughtfully & Sustainably Designed
Our landscape-led masterplans have been shaped by the character of Wythall’s countryside. The development proposals place landscape, biodiversity and green infrastructure at the heart of the design, creating new parkland, wildlife habitats, and walking and cycling connections that strengthen the area’s rural setting and sense of place.
The Site is designed around distinctive neighbourhood character areas, connected by high-quality green spaces and attractive pedestrian and cycle links. Tree-lined streets and parkland planting reinforce local identity and ensure the new neighbourhood sits within a mature landscape setting. The proposals also include an extensive green infrastructure framework structured around existing hedgerows, mature trees, and watercourses to retain the Site’s landscape pattern and create ecological connectivity.
Considering Existing Residents
We have given extensive consideration to the interests of existing residents neighbouring the Site in the development of our Masterplans. The design of the Site incorporates generous landscape buffers, including new woodland edges and open space separating new development from Houndsfield Lane and the adjoining countryside. Where the Site meets Lea Green Lane, existing trees and hedgerows will be retained, providing natural screening, enhanced by additional planting.
Enhancing & Supporting the Community
A new primary school will be delivered alongside, a local centre with the opportunity for commercial, retail and community use, providing essential and accessible services within walking distance. A new ‘Mobility Hub’ with 50 car parking spaces, cycle parking and other sustainable travel modes will be provided within easy walking distance of Wythall Train Station to help ease existing parking pressures.
Our plans promote active lifestyles and encourage members of the community to build connections in a welcoming environment. The proposals include the creation of new public open spaces, a network of play areas, community greens and natural spaces that link directly with existing footpaths and the broader network of existing public rights of way.
Access and Movement
Access to the Site will be carefully planned through a number of entry points. Improvements to existing junctions and roads will be provided where appropriate to ensure effective traffic flow and to help reduce congestion on surrounding roads. This approach will ensure safe, convenient and well-distributed access for residents, visitors and the wider community.
Considering the landscape
As part of the planning for the new neighbourhood, we are carefully considering how to deal with the high-voltage powerline that currently runs across the Site. Two possible approaches are being explored, as set out below.
Both masterplans have been carefully designed to ensure safety, minimise visual impact, and preserve the overall character of the neighbourhood. As technical work continues, the masterplans will evolve to reflect the most suitable powerline strategy, ensuring the final design remains safe, attractive, and aligned with the landscape-led approach.
Overhead Lines grounded or diverted
- The overhead pylons would be removed, and the power line would be placed underground at each end of the Site. This would free up space for development and remove the visual impact of the pylons.
Pylons and Overhead Lines kept in place
- The pylons would be retained, with development set back at least 30 metres from the overhead electricity line. When considering the possibility of the Pylons and Overhead Lines being kept in situ, the masterplan has thoroughly considered placemaking principles to reduce visual impact of pylons for the new neighbourhood and any future detailed layout will consider this in depth.
