The development of 6,000 homes on Sutton Coldfield’s green belt can go ahead after a government blocking order was lifted.

Housing minister Gavin Barwell decided the Birmingham Development Plan can be formally adopted, releasing land east of Walmley for a major development.

The plan sets out how Birmingham should be developed over the next 15 years and earmarks sites for 51,000 houses, as well as job-creating industrial and commercial development.

By far the most controversial part was the use of green belt to create the Langley Sustainable Urban Extension, with 6,000 homes and a major industrial estate.

Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell had led local opposition to the proposal and was instrumental in getting the Government to put the plan on hold earlier this year .

Now, Mr Barwell has decided the scale of housing demand in Birmingham and the surrounding area is so great - it is reckoned the city needs 89,000 houses by 2031 - that his ‘holding direction’ should be lifted and the plan adopted.

The Langley sustainable urban extension on Sutton Coldfield green belt

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “After carefully considering all issues the ‘holding direction’ has been removed and the council is now able to adopt its Birmingham plan.

“We continue to protect the Green Belt, boost brownfield development and bring life back to abandoned sites.

“In this instance we are satisfied that Birmingham has taken a robust approach and that exceptional circumstances exist to justify alterations to the Green Belt boundary.”

Council leader John Clancy said: “This is excellent news because it means we can now get on with the vital task of building homes and delivering the jobs that our fast-growing population so desperately needs.

“This is an ambitious plan for growth which will deliver 51,000 new homes and significant new employment opportunities.

“It is an important step forward that, having reviewed the robustness of plan, the Government has supported the conclusions of the Planning Inspector and recognised the need to release green belt to help meet our housing and employment land needs.”

Waheed Nazir, strategic director of economy, added: “Removing the holding direction is an important decision, both for the city and the wider UK, in terms of our ability to deliver housing growth.”

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It was found there was space for 46,000 homes on brownfield sites within the urban area of Birmingham, with the Langley site taking the total 51,000.

Sites in neighbouring towns and boroughs have also been earmarked.

Coun David Barrie (Con Sutton New Hall) said he was disappointed by the news. “We have fought this all the way but now it looks like they are going to concrete over the green belt,” he said.

“The battle will go on, however.

“We have to make sure there is the right infrastructure - the schools, health services, transport and jobs to go with this. The residents must be consulted over how this will be delivered.”

The city council has stressed the development of homes will be accompanied by necessary facilities.

Yesterday, the Chancellor announced a new fund to provide infrastructure alongside major new housing developments in his autumn statement .

Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell addresses Project Fields campaign group
Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell addresses Project Fields campaign group in Walmley