Wew homes in wasteland scheme

Almost 100 "affordable" new homes could be built on wasteland in Brierley Hill.

The scheme will include houses and apartments for rent and shared ownership at a former industrial site in Delph Road.

Derelict buildings currently occupy the site which has been vacant for around a decade. A full planning application has been lodged with Dudley Council by Marcity Developments and Accord Housing to build 96 homes. The firm says the plans are a response to the demand for more affordable homes.

Development director for Marcity, Rob Johnson, said a range of family homes would be built on the site.

He said: "This is a 100 per cent affordable housing scheme. The final split of houses and apartments is to be confirmed following further discussions with Dudley Council.

"The site has been redundant for the past 10 years.

"With the lack of government housing being provided, there's even more of an emphasis on affordable housing.

"There's a big demand for it now.

"We have been in close consultation with Dudley Council and we hope to have everything sorted out by this side of Christmas."

Developers intend to divert an existing sewer that crosses the site along a new highway.

All homes will be allocated two parking spaces each to avoid on-street parking and traffic congestion. Visitor parking places will also be included in the scheme.

A report to Dudley Council states: "The main objective is to produce a closely knit environment that has a common theme with the existing housing in the street."

Most of the trees will be kept, say developers, and the housing scheme will be built in a traditional style.

Cycle storage will be provided for residents, and apartments will have bin stores. Work could start early next year if the scheme gets the go-ahead in the next few months.