A senior Dudley councillor has strongly criticised plans for 90 new homes in Stourbridge, saying it would be 'lunacy' to build on the proposed site near the River Stour and Stourbridge Canal.
Flood Plain Concerns
Councillor Ian Kettle voiced his objections to the development, which is split across two areas at Bradley Road and Canal Street. He stated: 'This is a flood plain, I have seen the whole area under water as far as the eye can see, only a lunatic would build in this area.' He also called for a greater variety of property sizes and designs if the development goes ahead.
Development Details
The Canal Street development, on the former historic Rolling Mills site, includes a block of 28 one and two-bedroom apartments and a block of 12 similar dwellings. Two mews houses would be created in the run-down former managers' accommodation and an administrative building near the Bonded Warehouse. The apartment buildings would be three and four storeys high, containing 36 two-bed and four one-bed apartments, with parking for 50 vehicles to the rear.
The second part of the development is on the nearby Linkwood site on Bradley Road West. Developers plan 48 new affordable apartments in two three-storey blocks with 56 parking spaces. Existing industrial units on the site would be demolished.
Developer's Justification
A statement from planning specialists Leverturnercowdell in support of the application said: 'The combined proposals present an attractive and highly sustainable form of development and efficient use of primarily derelict, previously developed brownfield land. They will provide much needed housing targeted at meeting local needs. The proposals incorporate the historic remnant of the former Rolling Mills administration offices and managers accommodation as housing, enhancing the public domain and amenity of Canal Street.'
Dudley Council is yet to make a decision on the planning application.
