200 houses set for West Bromwich landfill site

Outline planning consent has already been authorised for the former T & S Elements site off Hall Green Road and Needwood Grove in Stone Cross, with the development expected to include a number of starter homes as well as larger family homes.

The land was previously owned by Christ Church Limited and the council, with their intention being they would undertake remedial work and redevelop the whole site.

However, Christ Church sold its plot to Mar City Homes, which in April 2015 carried out work on the site to rid it of chemicals that have gone into the ground over the past 50 years.

The site was quarried for sand and gravel during the 1950s and was then used for landfill, with oils and chemicals put into it.

But Mar City Homes believe the development will provide an 'excellent setting for a family orientated housing scheme' and intend to see public open space run throughout.

Councillor Paul Sandars has previously said the council had outline planning permission to develop on the land granted in April 2014, but at that time the limit placed on the number of houses to be built was 200, due to concerns the development would be 'over-intensive.'

He said: "When it comes to this application, it is all about finding the balance between residents concerns and the demand for new housing in Sandwell.

"In the consultation period, people have been very clear in their issues for and against this development, but again this is something that needs to be discussed at the planning meeting next week.

"We do need more housing in Sandwell, it's a topic that has been highlighted time and again.

"But we also have to take into consideration the potential traffic problems and access in and out of Hall Green Road and Needwood Grove."

A report to the meeting states: "The site would support the council's priorities of encouraging the transformation and physical improvement of the environment by bringing underused land back into productive use.

"The release of the site for redevelopment will help the council contribute further towards housing provision within the borough."

The decision is set to be rubber-stamped at the planning meeting on May 11.