Councillors give thumbs-down to 58 apartments for elderly on college land
Plans for 58 apartments for the elderly on land at Tettenhall College have been unanimously rejected by Wolverhampton City Council.
Proposals from developers McCarthy and Stone for apartments at the Wood Road site were blocked by councillors at Tuesday's planning committee meeting.
Under plans, the site would have been redeveloped with the apartments with a residents' lounge, dining room, staff accommodation, mobility scooter charging points a guest suite and outdoor space.
There would also be 27 car parking spaces, two multi use games areas and a car park to serve the college.
The council received 30 representations, of which 26 objected and four supported the scheme, and a 20 signature petition.
In the meeting, Chris Ager, a Tettenhall resident who has lived there for 20 years, spoke on behalf of fellow objectors.
She told the committee: "We are vehemently against these plans. "The building which is being proposed is completely out of character with the area. It is too large and bulking.
"The residents at the apartments will still have active lifestyles. They will have visitors and presumably care and assistance and will be coming and going, possibly in their own cars.
"So 27 parking spaces won't be sufficient and it will cause traffic problems.
"We are not saying we don't welcome developers, but some consideration should be given, it's a beautiful green area that people enjoy visiting and it shouldn't be degraded.
"The proposal looks like it's off the shelf, a flat pack.
"It isn't in-keeping with the area.
"We can't allow that building to be put there and degrading the area for years to come."
Lisa Mathewson, planning agent for McCarthy and Stone, defended the plans, saying: "We have worked hard to design this project and believe it would benefit the area.
"Part of the work will involve the much-needed repair of buildings at Tettenhall College.
"I would like to invite you all to approve the application."
But councillors rejected the proposals.
Councillor John Rowley said: "The proposal may appeal to people outside but it doesn't appeal to me.
"I hope McCarthy and Stone come back to us with something much better than this."
Councillor Wendy Thompson, whose Tettenhall Wightwick ward covers the area, said: "It is out of keeping with the historic buildings nearby, which makes this proposal difficult to accept.
"The building being proposed is considerably large, but the area is a green and precious site."
Councillor Harman Banger added: "We as an authority must look out for the residents.
"McCarthy and Stone, as developers, have a duty of care to the people of Wolverhampton. When making an application of this scale, they should really be taking more consideration.
"They should reach out a bit further to the people who live here.
"The speaker (Ms Ager) said that residents aren't opposed to developments. We also want to welcome investors but they must consider things properly."
The land is currently a car park and tennis courts on the south western part of the college. It sits within the Tettenhall Greens Conservation Area.