250 homes on way at old West Bromwich landfill site

Outline planning consent has been authorised for the former T & S Elements site off Hall Green Road and Needwood Grove in Stone Cross.

Developers Mar City Homes Limited are currently consulting residents on the finer details for the proposals, which include starter homes, as well as larger family homes.

In addition to the application, the company intend that public open space will run throughout the development to provide an 'excellent setting for a family orientated housing scheme', which the company believe will be of great benefit to the area.

The land was previously owned by Christ Church Limited and the council, with their intention being they would undertake remedial work and redevelop the whole site.

However, they sold its interest to Mar City, who in April 2015 carried out work on the site to rid it of chemicals that have gone into the ground over the past 50 years.

The site was quarried for sand and gravel during the 1950s and was then used for landfill, with oils and chemicals put into it.

Inspection of the land found it was not constructed properly to receive wastes and that few records existed as to what was actually dumped. The remedial work that was carried out last year has now made the land safe for new development.

Mar City wish to pursue both the area sold to them and the area the council owns, as due to their location, could not be developed both on their own.

Ward councillor Paul Sandars said: "We originally had planning permission for this land to be developed on a number of years ago, whether that was going to be new houses or new businesses.

"We have set out a consultation period and would like to stress that the opinions and thoughts of local residents are very important at this stage in the process and recently held a meeting with them to discuss concerns.

"Traffic problems and access in and out of Hall Green Road were two main issues raised.

"We need more housing in Sandwell, that is one outlining topic that can't be avoided. But what is also very important is listening to the views of local residents who these proposals will directly affect."

The proposals will be discussed at Thursday's management committee meeting.