HOMEOWNERS in Rednal are protesting against a government-funded development of 27 houses on a former landfill site they claim will be unsafe and spoil the quality of life in the area.

Birmingham-based Concept Development Solutions has applied to build a new development on a former sand quarry and landfill site off Cliff Rock Road, with a £930,000 social housing grant.

The Inner Triangle Residents' Association, which formed to protest against the move, claims the site is unsuitable for development and the houses will blight their lives.

Methane gas coming from the former landfill site, along with ground so unstable the existing houses needed 20ft rafts to support them, are among the concerns.

Residents from the roads surrounding the proposed development also said 27 houses in such a small space will destroy their privacy, increase flooding and eradicate a public right of way across the land enjoyed for 32 years.

The resident's association believes the money would be better spent on the 2,500 empty council properties all over the city, since £200,000 will be needed just for remedial work.

Association secretary Colin Barnhust said: "There are some boarded-up properties just around the corner. Maybe this money could be better used to improve these properties."

A party of 120 residents protested at a site visit made by city councillors and a 154-name petition has also been gathered.

The city council's planning committee deferred a decision until tests for methane gas were complete.

Concept Development Solutions said it would not comment while the planning proceedings were ongoing.