OUTDATED environmental laws are failing to protect residents from the impact of large-scale housing developments, say councillors.
County councillors including leader Jo Monk want more powers to "safeguard public health and community wellbeing".
They say current legislation was "never designed to deal with the scale and intensity of modern housing development".
CONCERN: Council leader Jo Monk is among the councillors bringing the motion (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
In a motion going before Worcestershire County Council this week, Reform councillors suggest lobbying the Government to update environmental protections and statutory noise legislation.
Councillors also want a review of the health implications of large development sites, with concerns escalated to DEFRA and the UK Health Security Agency.
"Residents living near large-scale housing developments, including the Perryfields site in Bromsgrove, have endured prolonged exposure to dust pollution, air quality issues, vibration, noise, and general loss of amenity - with direct implications for physical and mental health," says the motion, in the names of Cllr Monk, Nikolas Price, Michele Hulme, Peter Turner and Dave Edmonds.
"Such conditions have affected children, families, and older residents, with reports of respiratory problems, aggravated health conditions, and significant anxiety caused by ongoing construction disturbance.
"While planning and environmental controls exist, enforcement and communication mechanisms have not always worked effectively to protect residents or provide them with clear information."
Councillors say "no resident in Worcestershire should have to live under constant dust clouds, noise, or health risks caused by poor construction management or weak environmental safeguards".
They are calling for "urgent reform" of "outdated frameworks" such as the Public Health Act 1936 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The motion also calls for environmental and air quality monitoring data from major development sites to be made publicly available "to rebuild trust and accountability with residents".
It also suggests working with district councils to ensure tougher enforcement of planning conditions and engagement with schools bordering large construction sites to assess the impact on children's health.