900 homes a step closer as Dudley Council signs cash deal

An application for outline access to the site off the Birmingham New Road was approved by council planners in December.

The Skelton Group has this week agreed a Section 106 deal with the council, which will pave the way for road improvements needed for the scheme to go ahead.

More than £100,000 will be spent on road improvements for access to the site, according to council documents, while £45,600 has been earmarked for two mini-soccer pitches.

Ward councillor Clem Baugh said the scheme would be a positive boost for the local area.

He said: "Obviously we're in favour of this build as we need houses – they're a bit like gold-dust at the moment.

"We also want to see as many affordable houses as possible.

"I think it can only improve Coseley East and be beneficial for the area."

According to a council report, Skelton was asked for a 'contribution' of £100,000 towards provision of cycle/pedestrian crossing at the Sedgley Road-Birmingham New Road junction and directly associated improvements.

The developer was also told to stump up £5,000 for a traffic regulation order to prohibit waiting along Bean Road, and new access points to Bean Road and Sedgley Road West; and £10,000 to fund a gap closure at Sangwin Road and Birmingham New Road.

The 66-acre Coseley Park site, once home to the Bean car factory, off Birmingham New Road, will be transformed by the development.

All the existing buildings on the site would be demolished – other than the former Bean offices – making way for 925 homes and a 30,000 sq ft supermarket on the site in Sedgley Road West.

A new junction will be created in Birmingham New Road to allow access to the estate. Two new sports pitches and a public open space and play area would also be included, replacing the current football pitch.

Outline permission was granted by Dudley Council's planning committee in December.

Plans were initially lodged for an eco park on the site in 2011 and included 200 homes, commercial and retail space.

Planning permission for the scheme was granted in 2012, but the scheme stalled after the development partner ran into commercial difficulties.

It was subsequently shortlisted as one of the UK's first Housing Zones.

When the scheme was approved, Skelton Group spokesman Abbas Raza said: "We've provided a well thought out road layout that will keep traffic moving and both businesses will benefit from improvements we'll make to Bean Road."