Signs ruining jewel in Wolverhampton's crown, says councillor
Large advertising signs that have been put up near to a village beauty spot are causing uproar among residents it has been claimed.
Three hoardings – each almost 10ft tall and nearly 5ft wide – have been erected on Danescourt Road in Tettenhall, next to Tettenhall Green, which is a designated conservation area on green belt land.
And Wolverhampton City Council has given permission for another four to be installed.
Ward councillor Jonathan Yardley today said the signs ruined the 'jewel in Wolverhampton's crown'.
He said: "It's our nicest environmental landscape in the city and it attracts more visitors than any other venue – and they've spoiled it."
He added: "It ruins it completely. It blocks the view across the green as you approach the city from our main western route.
"Wolverhampton is an industrial city that is not blessed with beautiful green spaces and this is the jewel in the crown that we fought to protect, and they spoil it by granting planning permission for garish advertising hoardings."
Councillor Yardley said there had been no consultation with the public before granting permission for the signs, adding: "The first the residents knew about it was when they were erected and of course they were very upset."
The signs belong to Bantock Homes Ltd and are there to promote the company's ongoing development of 24 apartments on the four acres of derelict land.
However, despite building work being ongoing, the council has given permission for the signs to remain at the site for five years, until 2019.
Councillor Yardley said: "I would have thought in a couple of years they would have built it and sold the houses.
"I don't know what they are going to do with it for the other three years – advertise baked beans?"
Permission for the housing development itself was granted in July last year.
The site – formally home to a children's resource centre – had become a target for vandals and had three buildings lying empty.
Two other proposals for 28 retirement homes and nine houses had previously been rejected.
Council spokesman Gurdip Thandi said: "Planning permission has been granted for seven temporary banner signs to be erected to support a residential development.
"Three of the signs have been placed amongst trees in Danescourt Road while four are situated on site.
"The banners met planning requirements and support the redevelopment of a disused former residential care home into 24 apartments, which will enhance the area."
