Major Housing Development Gets Green Light in Kingswinford
Planners at Dudley Council have unanimously approved outline permission for what will become the largest brownfield development within the borough. The decision, reached on November 25, 2025, paves the way for 650 new homes to be built on the site of the former Ketley Quarry in Kingswinford.
Resolving Road Access Disputes
The significant housing scheme had previously been delayed due to concerns and wrangling over the design of access points. Fears were raised about potential increased congestion and the risk of motorists using the new estate for 'rat running' between the busy Dudley Road and Bromley Lane.
Following negotiations and design changes submitted by the developers, the council's planning committee was satisfied enough to grant the project a green light. The approved plan features three designated access points from Ploverdale Crescent, Ketley Road, and Lapwood Avenue.
Vehicle access restrictions will be implemented to prevent the new development from becoming a shortcut for drivers looking to avoid traffic on main roads.
Local Reaction and Biodiversity Concerns
The borough leader and local Kingswinford councillor, Patrick Harley, who had previously strongly objected to the initial road layout, welcomed the approval. He stated, "I'm glad the committee approved it. We met with developers and they have significantly changed [the plans]. It is the largest brownfield site in the borough and we need to maximise brownfield sites."
Despite this political support, the application, first registered in 2022, attracted approximately 100 letters of objection from the public, with many focusing on traffic fears.
Substantial concerns were also formally raised by the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust. Dr Kayla Paulson, a senior planning and biodiversity officer for the Trust, highlighted that the development site overlays the Ketley Quarry Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC).
Dr Paulson warned that the project would cause the complete loss of a valuable SLINC and its respective habitats. She provided evidence suggesting the site is likely used by badgers, IUCN red-listed bird species, rare butterflies, foraging bats, and has three potential breeding sites for Great Crested Newts.
What Happens Next?
The outline permission granted includes detailed plans for access to the site. However, the council will still need to approve the final layout and design of the buildings when full planning applications are submitted in the future. This means there are further stages where detailed considerations, including mitigating the loss of natural habitat, can be addressed.
