PLANNERS in Bromsgrove are putting a brake on new house building in a bid to ease growing demand for local facilities.

Bromsgrove District Council also hopes to protect the Green Belt by restricting further schemes.

The highest number of new buildings ever recorded in the district have been built over the last two years. A backlog of sites means there is enough housing land to meet requirements for several years.

"This rapid growth has placed huge pressures on local facilities such as schools, transport and health services," said Paul Crysell, head of local plans at Bromsgrove.

"By restricting further schemes for a time the council can ease this growing demand for these facilities and also protect the Green Belt area for longer."

The council is putting forward a proposal to dramatically reduce the number of new planning permissions for housing, although it will allow low-cost housing for local people who otherwise find it difficult to find a home in the district.

Residents and house builders are being invited to comment on the proposals before the council makes a final decision on them. They have until midnight on Friday, June 13 to register their comments.

Copies of the proposal are available from Council House, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove or from www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/localplanning