Dudley development endangers lives, say campaigners
Lives will be put at risk if plans to build new homes on wasteland in Pensnett get the go ahead, campaigners say.
Residents living in Cygnet Lane, where access to the 10 homes is proposed, are concerned the planned road which runs between two existing properties is too narrow.
They argue cars travelling on and off driveways could crash with others entering and leaving the estate.
Proposals for the development were put before a committee of Dudley councillors on Tuesday but they deferred their decision so they could visit the location.
Linda Bradley, who lives in Cygnet Lane near the proposed access road, said: "Where we live is an unusual layout because numbers one and three are next to each other we have two lots of cars coming on and off of one drive and there is a house in front which uses it as well.
"And then because of the fencing we have to reverse blind to get onto the track with three quarters of the car hanging out before we can see what might be coming.
"With this development there is going to be cars whizzing past. It is ok to say they will keep it down to 12mph but if you get a 'nice' delivery driver they are not going to keep to that.
"This is the point of getting them down for a site visit. They do not seem to care that the scheme would put people's live in danger."
Dudley Council planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved, subject to conditions, despite 10 letters of objection from residents.
They are also concerned a lack of on-site car parking will lead to cars being left along Cygnet Lane itself.
And Mrs Bradley added there is no access for disabled people or a footpath for people walking on and off.
At the planning meeting, deputy leader of the council, Judy Foster, said many more residents had raised concerns with her about the proposals.
Councillor John Martin said: "I agree with the residents. I have concerns about the access scheme particularly in terms of the danger posed to residents of numbers one, three and five.
"This is in terms of their ability to see around corners and drive safely off their properties. It is a very strange access scheme."
