report by Helen Attwood
A Halesowen author is backing the campaign against controversial plans to develop Halesowen green belt which he says could ruin the famous long distance footpath he created.
Developer St Modwen wants to sell the Coombs Wood Sports and Social Club site for housing so it is proposing to build a new club on nearby fields which form part of the Coombs Wood Green Wedge.
But the Friends Of Coombeswood which has formed to fight plans has discovered the 615-mile Monarch's Way route crosses the green wedge, running along the edge of the former Coombs Wood steel works.
The route was created be Halesowen author Trevor Antill in 1994 and follows the path of Charles II's flight from Cromwell after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
Trevor said he is worried work to create the cricket club could cause flooding that could wash away part of the path.
He said: "The pity of all these proposals is it's a wedge - it's a little bit of green belt that is almost enclosed by an urban area.
"I deliberately took the route along there because there were outstanding views after 18 miles of urban walking.
"If approved there will be a heck of a lot of movement of soil to build up a platform - it will affect the water table detrimentally."
Trevor said work will also alter the natural topography of the site turning what is a natural slope into a steep incline.
Starting in Worcester, the Monarch's Way footpath crosses the Midlands and one and a half miles of it run the length of the Coombs Wood green wedge before continuing on for another 440 miles to the South Coast.
Trevor led a three mile "Keep The Green Wedge Green" walk yesterday (Wednesday May 7).
Ian Romano, St Modwen's Senior Development Surveyor, said "The proposals for the Green Wedge which have been presented to local residents at the recent public consultation do not in any way obstruct or impede the public footpath of Monarch's Way.
"We are not proposing a closure or diversion of this important and well used public right of way.
"Quite the contrary, we will be consulting with the Dudley Borough Access Forum to understand how we could improve and enhance public access and enjoyment of the Coombswood Green Wedge."
Visit the website at www.coombeswood.info or www.monarchsway.50megs.com/ for more information.
Pictured: Author Trevor Antill at Coombs Wood Green Wedge.
