Fight to stop homes bid for sports ground

Morris Homes wants to put four three-storey town houses on the former Accles and Pollock Sports Ground in Brades Road but residents living nearby have moved to stop the proposals over concerns about parking and road safety.

The application had been recommended for approval by planning officers at Sandwell Council, however the planning committee put off a decision and stated they wanted to view the site first.

Morris Homes initially wanted to build only two properties on the site but has amended its application to four.

Two parking spaces would be provided with each house but neighbours insist that is no enough and will lead to people parking on what is already a congested road.

They raised fears about the homes being built on a bend and also believe people's privacy may be infringed. A 14ft fence would be put up next the homes and it is felt this will impact on views from homes.

Chris Irwin said: "There is virtually no parking on that road. Cars on that road have to park half on the road and half on the pavement.

"The four town houses will be built on a bend which is going to be a real issue. There has already been an accident down there which resulted in a car being written off.

"One of the homes would have a 14ft fence next to their garden which would affect their outlook, and that isn't what they paid for."

Despite concerns raised by the campaigners, the council's highways team has not reported any issues regarding the application.

Councillor Barbara Price, who sits on the planning committee, said she needed to know more about the site before she could come to a decision.

She said: "I am not very happy with this, I want to go and look at the site before I make a decision."

Accles and Pollock Sports Ground, named after the historic steel tubing company which was bought out by Caparo in the 1990s, featured football and cricket pitches, tennis courts, bowling green and a running track but has been run down for years.