200 homes lined up for Darlaston wasteland

Land at Heathfield Lane West and Moxey Road will be transformed into an estate for 225 houses under the proposal submitted by Catalyst Capital.

The site was used for brick and pottery work as far back as the early 20th century and currently is the home of a disused factory with office units amongst unused ground.

The area has been described as a 'key regeneration site' by the council.

Councillor Doug James says the proposals would be great news for the town if granted.

The Darlaston South councillor also said he believed there would be concerns from the community regarding access and road usage if the plans do go ahead, but added he believed the positives outweigh the negatives.

He said: "The area has been neglected and abandoned in terms of development for many years, so I am delighted that it has finally attracted a developer.

"Hopefully we will see work start sooner rather than later if planning permission is granted.

"I do believe that there may be concerns raised within the community regarding narrow streets in the surrounding area, as well as increase of vehicles using the roads, however I believe the planning committee and the local police representatives can resolve those issues if they are brought up.

"There will always be issues when a development of this nature is proposed but I believe planning bosses need to look at the benefit of bringing more than 200 houses to Darlaston in terms of our community.

"I really hope that this can go ahead and that young families can take advantage of the opportunity to get on the property ladder."

A previous planning application for the site, to build 304 houses and apartments was granted back in 2008, did not get off the ground.

Applicants Catalyst Capital say the firm has been advised that any plan submitted by them should be for just houses and not apartments.

A document submitted with the application reads: "The previous development proposals include a relatively high proportion of apartments and we have been advised that the proposals are neither viable nor meet current market requirements.

"Accordingly a new planning application will be submitted in outline for a form of development that would make the site more attractive to the market, to allow for the early commencement of residential development on this key regeneration priority site."