WITH just hours left to have a say on plans that could see 870 new homes built on green belt land in Kingswinford and Holbeache, Dudley South MP Mike Wood has issued a final reminder to people to air their views.

The Black Country Plan proposes building 533 houses on the Kingswinford Triangle and 330 houses at Holbeache.

Conservative MP Mike has backed local action groups and councillors who have voiced their objections to the plans and more than 6,000 signatures have been collected on a petition.

Mike said: "Our precious local green belt is under threat, and we have just hours left to save it. If these 870 homes go ahead as planned, they will destroy our green belt, ruin our wildlife, and add unacceptable pressure to our schools, roads and GPs.

"We do need to build more homes, but they need to be in the right area - we must start with rejuvenating unused land, old factories and industrial sites.

"So I urge you to help us send a strong message to the council by signing our petition at saveourgreenbelt.uk. Please do it now. Our green belt is the lungs of the Black Country - if we lose it, it’s gone for good."

To have your say click here.

Louise Vale, of the Wall Heath As One action group, said: "Wall Heath is considered to be the last 'village' in Dudley - an otherwise urban area with a strong industrial past.

"In the last seven weeks, our campaign group has been working flat out in the community due to the announcement of the Draft Black Country Plan; this proposes to build up to 1,000 houses on two beautiful green belt sites in our area.

"We know that many people across the country are raising opposition to this, however the number of houses expected is not only too concentrated - given the other large developments planned around us, but will dramatically change and impact on our small community.

"This has shocked our residents - not just because of the complete lack of infrastructure, schools, doctors, employment opportunities, pollution and unnecessary destruction of the environment, but because Dudley have been inadequate in their efforts to ensure residents are consulted."

Dudley Council said problems raised earlier in the consultation about access to the website had been addressed and that 30,000 hard copy forms had been printed for people to have their say but campaigners have said the council should have done more to communicate with all groups in society about the plan and its future impact on the borough.

The public consultation on the Black Country Plan closes on Monday October 11 at 5pm.

Other sites earmarked for development in the Dudley borough are:

Worcester Road, Pedmore, Stourbridge...115 homes proposed

Wollaston Farm, Stourbridge...90 homes proposed on grazing land

Lower Guys Lane, Lower Gornal...25 homes proposed

Viewfield Crescent, Dudley...24 homes proposed