Wolverhampton homes due for approval despite neighbours' fears
Controversial plans for a luxury housing development in Tettenhall that will result in the loss of 173 trees have been recommended for approval, despite objections from people living nearby.
Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee is being recommended to back the scheme by David Wilson Homes for 58 properties on Woodthorne Road, off Wergs Road, when it meets next Tuesday.
And it emerged today that the company will be asked to hand over more than £675,000 to pay for affordable housing and alterations to Tettenhall's landmark green.
The company's plans are for 46 houses and 12 flats to transform the land and replace the offices of Adas and Eurofins, both of which have relocated.
Developers have already scaled back their plans, with a proposed block of flats reduced from four to three storeys in the light of residents' concerns.
Letters of objection have been sent in by 60 people including Tettenhall councillor Barry Findlay and Wolves vice-president Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint. Plans were submitted to Wolverhampton City Council last month and caused outrage among residents who strongly oppose trees being cut down.
If the application is granted, 99 trees would remain at the former Adas site, opposite Danescourt Cemetery, while the developer has said it would replant 26. David Wilson Homes has promised to replace many of the trees with "better quality" ones.
Vernon Dodd, aged 63, who has lived in nearby Birchfield Avenue for more than 20 years, said: "The trees contribute significantly to our views and enjoyment of the local landscape. The proposed landscaping measures will take many years to mature, and even then the landscape will be markedly different from what it is now."
Council planners are asking the company to provide £541,000 towards affordable housing to be built elsewhere in Tettenhall and a further £134,275 towards public open spaces.
The smaller sum is being put towards a planned £200,000 revamp of Tettenhall Green.
Residents have now been asked for their own ideas which will be considered as part of the scheme. Council planning officer Richard Pitt said views had been taken into account, but the positive benefits of the development outweighed any negative impact.
