A WYTHALL manager says he is facing a "double-edged sword" after planning permission was granted to extend his business onto green belt land.

Dave Nicholls, owner of timber merchant Wythall Sawmills, on Alcester Road, said he had received complaints from residents about plans to use green belt land to house a car park and unloading area.

But he said residents had previously been unhappy about congestion caused by lorries and parked cars belonging to employees.

He said: "Admittedly, it has been a nightmare. Sometimes we've had about three lorries needing to turn around in the road and the congestion has been terrible."

Mr Nicholls said the 100-year-old business had grown over the years, increasing the volume of traffic in the area.

He feared for the safety of pupils walking to and from nearby schools The Coppice Primary and The Woodrush High.

He said: "I have a conscience and I don't want to build on green belt land. But this is a double-edged sword - either decision has heavy consequences."

Bromsgrove councillor Geoff Denaro said some residents believed Wythall Sawmills had outgrown the area and should relocate.

But he added: "The company employs a great deal of local people and only a small area of green belt will be used in an authority that is still made up of more than 90 per cent green belt land."

Mr Denaro said committee members had voted unanimously in favour of using green belt land to extend the company's premises.

He said: "The area was becoming hazardous so we agreed to the plans on the grounds public safety is paramount."