A PROPOSAL to create 800 jobs in a village near Bromsgrove has been slammed by a district councillor.

Over 100 villagers turned out to a meeting at Fairfield Village Hall to discuss plans to build a business park at Wildmoor Quarry.

Cllr Chris Scurrell (Con-Hagley), who chaired the meeting, claimed that recent discussions had led him to get "cold feet" about the project.

He fears that the business park, in addition to other areas earmarked for development including the former Garringtons site, would create an over supply of jobs in the area.

He is also worried that the park will attract employees from outside the area, resulting in more congestion on the roads.

"The idea of the meeting was not to persuade residents one way or another but to facilitate the actions after it," he said.

"However, I believe this would be a disruption of green belt land in the immediate vicinity of Fairfield.

"The pit in its current condition is far from ideal, but we have a plan to end all that and restore the land to the way it was, with room for agriculture and amenities in the area. If this business park gets the go-ahead we may never see this."

However, Kenneth Shaw Fairbairn, of Shaw Associates, which plans to build offices and workshops on the site said: "This will certainly not make the traffic any worse.

"We are trying to improve the area. It will bring around 800 jobs and I have offered to improve the bus service as part of the agreement.

"The designated restoration plan involves a waste transfer station and many heavy goods vehicles would be coming in and out of the site.

"As things stand, the quarry can only degrade in the public eye.

"This proposal represents regeneration and will result in an attractive but discreet facility of significant economic value to the area."

County planners have deferred the decision until September but Cllr Scurrell has invited residents to voice their opinions now by contacting Jenny Reed, Principal Planning Officer, Development Control, Worcestershire County Council. PO Box 373, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcestershire, WR5 2XG.

By Lisa Heritage