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The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

The Master Plan

After the announcement that Redditch was designated a new town in April 1964, and the
establishment of the Development Corporation, the primary task was the development
of a Master Plan for the new town. The drafting of the plan went through many revisions.
1966 was to prove a year of decision on major aspects of the Development Programme.
The Master Plan was published at the year's end and so brought to an end the inevitable
hiatus which had existed for over two years. In the meantime, the Board was required to
make decisions on the parts of the jig-saw which were to fit into the final picture.
From the co-ordinated work of Hugh Wilson and the Chief Officers, the main concepts of
the Interim Plan were developed into the detailed recommendations of the Master Plan.

The early months of 1967 were dominated by the publication of the Master Plan and the
consequential consultative processes. Over 2000 copies of the plan were printed and a
Master Plan Exhibition arranged at the College of Further Education during the period
17-25 March 1967. Public Meetings were scheduled at The Palace Theatre on 21 and 23
March 1967. With the whole population involved in one way or another, over 20,000
visited the Exhibition and there were full attendances at the Public Meetings.

A Public Inquiry into the proposals was held at The Kingfisher Hall from 25-28 July and 8
August 1967 by the Minister's nominated Inspector, Mr J. F. A. Lees, FRICS. 14 objections
from Local Authorities and individuals were heard. These included the views of the
following:-

● Worcestershire County Council who generally supported the Master Plan

● Redditch Urban District Council who objected to the proposed multi-use of the Public Transport
Route, the siting of the third lake in the Arrow Valley; to the reference to proposed expansion
of Redditch to the south; and to the vagueness of proposed allocation of land for "facilities
and ancillaries".

● Alcester Rural District Council who considered that the proposals for the River Arrow
necessitated the provision of more balancing lakes; that the proposed A435 bypass in the
Mappleborough Green Area should be built in advance of development in the east and that
the town should be surrounded by a Green Belt.

● Strong objections from groups of residents and individuals in various areas, particularly in
connection with the likely effects of road proposals. One called fored for cycle tracks to be
provided.

● Mr James Dance, the Member of Parliament for Bromsgrove and Redditch, queried the
adequacy of the 40 acre (16 ha) site for the new General Hospital, having regard to the
necessary ancillary provision and possible future expansion.

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