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AUCTION SIGN: The Allsop sign on Hewell Lane, which surprised residents when it went up two weeks ago.

WORRIED residents packed into an emergency meeting after six acres of land at Hewell Grange was put up for sale.

The residents fear that the land, which is near their homes, is set to be developed.

Emotions ran high at Tardebigge Community Hall on Bank Holiday Monday as 80 people packed into the meeting, which had been called by Tardebigge Tory district councillor Peter Whittaker.

Residents are concerned following the erection of an Allsop auctioneer's board in Hewell Lane two weeks ago.

They have also received letters informing them that two plots of land, one between the park's residential estate and Hewell Lane and a second north east of the estate - which includes a recreational grassed area and 59 lock-up garages - will be auctioned off.

The land, owned by the Ministry of Justice, will go under the hammer tomorrow (Thursday) at the Cafe Royal in London. There is a guide price of between £50,000 and £100,000.

Residents are concerned that the lot could be bought by developers who would subsequently apply for planning permission for new housing.

Councillor Whittaker said that as the land is green belt the only application likely to be granted would be for affordable housing.

Those gathered were assured residents would be consulted, if an application materialised.

Cllr Whittaker said: "This has come as a big surprise to me, as much as to you. They have acted with indecent haste, placing it on the market without a lot of thought.

"This has been an area you have enjoyed at the public's expense for many years. My advice is to club together and buy it yourselves."

Cllr Whittaker, with chairman of Tutnall and Cobley Parish Council Geoff Whitehouse, tried to answer the many queries raised by residents.

There was confusion over why Redditch Borough Council was listed as the planning authority. Cllr Whittaker said that this was incorrect as any planning applications would be dealt with by Bromsgrove.

Residents are now looking into applying for village green status, which could protect the recreational area from development, and investigating whether the trees are protected by preservation orders.

10:56am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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