ANGRY residents in what has traditionally been a 'true blue' Conservative village are drawing up battle plans to take on Tory-controlled Bromsgrove District Council which they claim is flouting the Labour Government's planning guidelines.

Away from the quiet leafy lanes and the peace that for over a century has left an indelible mark on Barnt Green, the mood of villagers is one of rage and frustration.

The cause of their strife is a 12-acre green belt plot in Fiery Hill Road.

It has been earmarked in the Bromsgrove Local Plan as a potential future site for up to 250 homes.

The protesters, which includes the parish council, have drawn up a long list of objections.

These include the plot adjoining a conservation area, being one of the most visible sites on a main road approach to the village, is likely to open the floodgate to speculative development and ribbon development and, at a stroke, increase the number of households in the parish by 35 per cent.

There is also concern at the number of homes expected to be crammed on to the site which it is feared will impact on the historical and archaeological significance of the immediate area.

Ahead of the council's cabinet meeting at the Council House - set for August 21, but more likely to take place sometime in October, when the plan will be discussed, campaigners this Friday will hand town MP Julie Kirkbride a petition bearing more than 1,200 signatures to give to the council.

Villagers plan to travel to the meeting in a cavalcade of vehicles adorned with green ribbons.

And on Monday, August 19, from noon until 2pm balloons will be released from the village centre and the following night from 9pm a candlelit vigil will be staged around the proposed site.

Speculation is also rife that disillusioned villagers may put forward two independent candidates against the Tories to contest next spring's local elections.

Parish council chairman, Elaine Buckett , said the district council is "riding roughshod" over residents by not consulting them and is preparing to "fly in the face" of government guidelines by not developing a closer understanding with residents over the issue.

Council deputy leader, Councillor Margaret Taylor (Con, Barnt Green), commented: "Residents have the full support of myself and Councillor Ann Doyle in their protest against the inspector's report which was vigorously opposed by the district council at the recent public inquiry."