An appeal has been lodged after a plan to build 214 new homes in Redditch was rejected.
Redditch Borough Council unanimously voted to reject the application, which was submitted in 2021 by Barratt David Wilson Homes, for the development on part of Abbey Park Golf Course.
The plan was rejected in March after over four hours of heated debate.
An action group is now set to challenge the appeal as they believe the development would cause "irreversible damage" to the green space.
The group has consistently opposed the application, which the planning committee voted to refuse as the land is on designated green open space, Redditch has already exceeded its housing target and the design did not fit the characteristics of the surrounding properties.
Other factors including the flooding risk, traffic congestion and the extra demands on local infrastructure and services were also considered by the council.
Mark Jacobs, the chair of NoRCA, said: "We are not NIMBYs. We are fully supportive of the economic growth objectives outlined by the recently elected government, but we feel strongly that this is not served by building on green open spaces, particularly when additional houses are not needed for the council to achieve its targets as set out in the current local plan.
"We are also mindful that the council has sufficient land supply set aside for future housing development.
"We are fully supportive of the planning committee's decision and we will work with the council in opposing the appeal which has now been lodged."
A letter was also read out from the owners of the golf course which outlined the proposed benefits to the business and wider community.
Mr Jacobs said: "The development being proposed would generate additional noise and environmental pollution, lead to increased traffic congestion and put further pressure on already over-stretched local services and infrastructure.
"It is certainly counter-intuitive to managing the impact of climate change given the lack of sustainability, the biodiversity loss that will be caused and the environmental injustice inflicted on local residents.
"Leading up to the planning committee, support for the NoRCA position was received from many elected representatives including the local MP, county, borough and parish councillors.
"NoRCA is apolitical and is proud that it was able to elicit support from across the political spectrum."
In response to NoRCA and the appeal, a spokesperson for David Wilson Homes Mercia said: "Given the shortage of homes in Redditch, we were disappointed that our planning application to deliver 214 high-quality new properties, including 66 affordable homes, was refused after it was initially recommended for approval.
"The proposed development would bring £5 million investment into the area, the creation of new, publicly accessible green open spaces with play areas, footways and cycleways in addition to new jobs for local people in Redditch."
The appeal is set to be adjudicated by the planning inspectorate at a public inquiry scheduled to start on January 21, 2025.
It is set to last for up to eight days and the venue is still to be confirmed.
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