OVERSPILL development from the Black Country could impact on Wyre Forest, members of Worcestershire County Council are to be warned.

The council's cabinet, meeting today, will hear a report outlining the possible effects of the development slightly further north.

Comments are being invited from the authority on phase one of a Black Country study that forms part of a West Midlands regional strategy shaping development of the region over the next 20 years.

Although Worcestershire planning officers have, mostly, welcomed the issues of housing, transport and retail raised, they have sounded a note of caution.

Mark Middleton, the council's head of planning, said: "The general strategy of the study is very much to be welcomed and we have argued that it's good for the region if the metropolitan areas are developed.

"However, on the subject of the housing, the study feels it may struggle to raise its targets and that causes us concern, as Worcestershire would have to take any shortfall.

"And the study omits any proposal to strengthen public transport corridors between the Black Country and North Worcestershire when there's actually a strong demand for this."

Councillor Nigel Knowles, who represents Kidderminster's St Barnabas division on the county council and sits on the regional planning body, said: "While the report is welcome, we need to make the relevant points.

"Worcestershire already has its housing allocations and they are currently sustainable. We'd be wary of anything that threatened that balance.

"Similarly, the Black Country needs to concentrate on improving its transport infrastructure, which means better bus and train links."

The county council's cabinet will decide its response to the study at today's meeting at County Hall, Worcester.