CAMPAIGNERS battling proposed housing developments on green fields in Kidderminster have been backed by Labour deputy leader and former town resident Tom Watson.

The West Bromwich East MP met with Ben Davies, who is hoping to represent Spennells after the next district council elections, during his visit to the West Midlands alongside leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Davies took the opportunity to outline concerns of residents about proposals set out in Wyre Forest District Council’s draft Local Plan to build housing on green fields in Spennells.

He told former King Charles School pupil Mr Watson – whose mother and brother live on the estate – concerns included the impact on infrastructure and transport links. They also want to see all brownfield sites exhausted before green belt land is considered.

The authority held a consultation on the Local Plan, which sets out aims on shaping the future of Wyre Forest up to 2034, earlier this year and is currently considering all the responses put forward.

Mr Davies, who is Labour’s lead member on the ‘Save our fields’ campaign, said: “I fully support the local party’s policy to identify and develop brownfield sites as a priority in order to meet the housing crisis that particularly affects people of my generation.

“I am really concerned that our community doesn't have the infrastructure or transport links in order to cope with the size of the development that is being proposed.

“I know Mr Watson still has family living on Spennells and I want to take our concerns to the highest level I can.

“In addition to our talks, I handed him a letter detailing the residents’ concerns.

“He was sympathetic to the campaign and pledged that a future Labour Government would properly fund our public services in order to be able to support an increase in housing need.

“He also agreed that we should be exhausting all brown field sites before looking at green belt development."