Residents living beside a partially constructed enormous 'mega-shed' claim their lives have become a nightmare due to disruptive noise from the 'monster metal skeleton', which rattles their properties and causes damage to their rooftops.
Massive development sparks outrage
The massive 90,000sqm commercial facility is currently under construction in Bentley, Walsall, on the location of a former Holiday Inn hotel, which burned down seven years ago in 2019. However, the new project - equivalent in size to approximately 12 football pitches - has sparked outrage amongst locals after it emerged at the bottom of their gardens 'without any warning'.
Homeowners claim their quality of life has been destroyed by the enormous structure as it obscures their sunlight and spoils their outlook - leaving them feeling as though they now reside beside a 'prison camp'. They allege drilling operations have caused their properties to shake throughout the day, leading to roof tiles tumbling from their homes, and they now worry the 'huge eyesore' looming above their houses has devalued their properties.
Residents share their experiences
NHS worker Sunita Chhokar, 38, a mum-of-two, who has resided on nearby Wilkes Avenue since 2008, said: 'The hotel was never a problem - you wouldn't even know it was there. There was also a lot of nice green fields to look out upon but now all that has been taken away. Because of this we wanted to move house but we fear the building will significantly devalue our home - who wants to buy a house with that at the end of their garden? Because of the drilling the whole house vibrates and I work from home so it proves incredible frustrating as you can't concentrate. This was done without any proper consultation and looking at the council planning site, they said it would be 14 metres tall and be below the tree line. But it looks a lot taller than that and they haven't even put the roof on yet. Once it is built, I worry about the noise as it sounds like it could be 24/7. We won't be able to sleep at night. There's already been break-ins before it's even built - I'm worried about crime too as criminals might start breaking into houses too.'
Kath Watkins, 75, a great-grandmother of three and retired housing officer, has resided on Wilkes Avenue for 47 years and lives directly opposite the development. She said: 'It's an absolute monstrosity that we all have to look at that eyesore. We came back from a break away and they had just started throwing it up - we didn't have any idea if was going to be this big. My main concerns are the noise nuisance and the increased traffic volume once it has finished. I'm also worried about being the depreciation to my property and whether I'll ever be able to sell it in future. I can see it from my kitchen window while I wash the dishes and it has been really noisy in the day. I just can't understand how they got permission to build it that big and that close to people's gardens.'
Satnam Lal, 58, has been a resident in the neighbourhood for 13 years. He said: 'All the neighbours appealed this and started a petition but nobody listened to our concerns. We were aware of the planning application but not that it had been approved until work started there just before Christmas. We didn't know it had got the go-ahead until it sprang up without any warning. Since then it has been horrific - my roof tiles have been damaged by the vibrations caused by the drills. We had a beautiful view beforehand and now all we can see is this. I'm concerned what it will be likes with all the lorries coming and going once it opens - it's going to be 24/7. So even once the building work is done we will have to contend with that. My mother passed away quite recently and I was planning on selling up and moving out of the area - but I don't think I will be able to sell my home now. Who wants to look at that everyday? I think it must have wiped at least £20,000-£30,000 off the house values at least.'
One local mentioned there have also been multiple break-ins at the location during the night, triggering an enormous flashing yellow alarm beacon that makes them feel as though they are residing 'next to a lighthouse'. The woman, a 34-year-old mum-of-three, who did not want to be named, said: 'It has been crazy living next to this eyesore. I've lived here for a couple of years and it has been a building site for most that time. There was a hotel there before, which burnt down, but nobody agreed to this, and we never knew the size of it until they started throwing it up. The noise and the vibrations have been absolutely horrendous. One Sunday, I had to go over there as my house was rattling and the roof tiles were falling off from all the drilling. He didn't seem too bothered and said it was because they were doing the fence line and the noise wouldn't be as bad soon. But it has been terrible ever since March/April this year. We've had no privacy with cranes overlooking our homes, workmen are blasting out music which we can hear from our gardens. We were sitting outside the other day and we could have had a party in our garden the music was that loud. I like to stargaze and watch the planes with the kids - but now we can't do that as there's that as our backdrop now. You can't see anything apart from that monster metal skeleton. It's like a prison camp and an real eyesore. I captured the northern lights from my bedroom window the other month, now there's no chance. We've just got that giant shell ruining our lives. They have been broken into a couple of times and it sets off this big yellow flashing beacon - it's like living next to a lighthouse.'
Background of the development
The Holiday Inn was razed to the ground after fire tore through the building in a catastrophic daytime inferno, forcing guests to flee the premises on August 2, 2019. A subsequent review by West Midlands Fire Service concluded the fire may have spread rapidly due to the lack of sprinklers inside the building. None had been fitted despite earlier brigade warnings.
Commercial property firms Graftongate and Cilldara Group acquired the land and are spearheading the development of the new facility off Wolverhampton Road West, to be called 'Walsall 90'. The location has been designated for general industrial and storage uses while also incorporating areas for HGV parking and vehicle movements suited to a single-use logistics business.
According to Graftongate's website, the new scheme will be constructed to industry-leading standards featuring the latest technologies including energy panels, EV charging points, and low-energy LED lighting. Upon completion, the project will also feature a 131ft (39m)-deep service yard alongside a 50ft (15m)-tall arch.
The company's construction director James Martyn-Smith previously commented: 'Walsall 90 offers prospective occupiers the chance to create a premium quality logistics unit to meet their needs. We will be delivering a highly efficient development, loaded with sustainable features, that will appeal to a range of businesses. The site lies in a prominent location, with direct access to Junction 10 of the M6 motorway.'
Walsall Council approved planning consent for the redevelopment of the empty five-and-a-half-acre plot three years ago. A council spokesperson stated: 'Local residents were notified of the planning application and any comments received were considered before planning permission was granted in May 2023 for the construction of a commercial unit on the site of the former Holiday Inn. The developer is understood to be delivering the unit in accordance with the planning permission and the attached conditions.'
Graftongate and Cilldara Group have also been approached for comment.
