FEARS that the unique character of Barnt Green would disappear if a housing development went ahead was expressed at a planning inquiry held at the Council House in Bromsgrove. The district council was opposed to the building of six houses, one to the acre, and costing between £5,000 and £6,000, on a plot between Shepley Road and Billy Lane. The authority claimed it infringed the green belt.

THE Big Freeze continued to maintain its grip and Bromsgrove Rovers' fixture list got longer. The Green's now had 16 games to play before the end of the season, which meant they must play twice weekly throughout March and April to clear the backlog.

BROMSGROVE'S MP Michael Higgs said he longed for the Tory party to be more 'Conservative,' as there seemed little difference between his party and the Socialists. He also mourned the passing of the old style election campaigns. People were more interested in watching TV nowadays, he told members in his speech to Bromsgrove Unionist Club's annual dinner at the Golden Cross Hotel in Bromsgrove.