Homes approval will mean 173 trees in Tettenhall axed

Developer David Wilson Homes was granted permission to build 58 properties off Wergs Road, Tettenhall, at a planning meeting yesterday.

Over the past few months, residents have voiced concerns over the felling of 173 trees, some of which are believed to be 100 years old.

They also raised objections over traffic issues, were worried that badgers and bats on the site would be adversely affected, and felt the developer had not properly consulted with them.

However, the planning proposal – for 46 two-storey houses as well as 12 apartments in a three-storey block – was approved by councillors, who voted five to four, with one abstainer.

During the meeting, resident Vernon Dodd, of Birchfield Road, which backs on to the site, said many of the trees were making way for two properties. He said: "These trees have been legally protected since the late 1970s and are very, very important to us.

"The visual impact on us is significant. I find it highly unlikely that the profitability of the scheme rests on two out of 58 homes."

An independent arboricultural consultant previously sent a report to the council outlining the ecological aspects of the site. Tettenhall councillor Jonathan Yardley, in comments which drew loud applause from the public gallery, said the decision was a balancing act between protecting ecology and the need for aspirational housing.

"This balance has been pushed over the limit by David Wilson Homes," he said.

"The problem is the block of flats – it's too tall by one storey. It's very ecologically sensitive."

Fellow Tettenhall councillor Wendy Thompson said: "If you get rid of the trees, it'll look almost like a desert to what was there before."

Wolves vice-president Rachael Heyhoe-Flint was among residents to lodge objections to the council in the lead-up to the decision being made.

Councillor John Rowley, of Blakenhall ward, said a problem with the application was that the former ADAS site is currently home to just one large building, but he approved of the scheme and added: "I don't think the flats are significantly overbearing."

The meeting also heard from Jon Rowson, planning manager at David Wilson Homes, who said reaction from a public consultation event last year had been positive. Mr Rowson said: "The development has been designed to retain all trees of the highest quality." If the 173 trees are felled, 99 would remain on the site.

David Wilson Homes has said it will replant 26.