100 homes on way to 'upgrade' Stourbridge area

Apartments would be created on former Jubilee Works and the William Foxall site in a bid to 'upgrade the area', but fears have already been raised about the area becoming a 'rat run'.

The site in Balds Lane, Lye, could see up to 51 houses and 39 apartments developed on it with parking.

It comes as businesses on the site are to relocate into more suitable premises, leaving the three-acre plot empty.

There is proposed to be 22 semi-detached and 29 terraced houses alongside 39 apartments contained in three separate three-storey buildings.

Planning documents, put forward by RDI Developments, say: "The scheme applies the principles of good urban design and would make a positive contribution to character and appearance of the area, with no unacceptable adverse impact on residential amenity.

"Each of the proposed dwellings is served by a private garden which provide useable amenity areas.

"It would provide a high quality residential development upgrading the area and a quantum of housing that will benefit the community from a social and economic standpoint."

However, Councillor Richard Body, who represents the Cradley and Wollescote ward, said that traffic problems would need to be assessed before plans were approved.

It comes as objections were put forward by residents and nearby businesses.

Councillor Body said: "I welcome new homes but it is a nightmare to get through Balds Lane due to cars parking on the roadside.

"It is incredibly busy so with extra traffic from a development then I would be concerned – it would have to looked into seriously by highways officers."

A resident from Seymour Road, which is next to the site, stated in a planning objection: "New housing would be beneficial to the area, but Balds Lane is already a rat run with a very difficult junction at The Hayes. On street parking reduces visibility and traffic can often be at excessive speed."

A decision will be made by planning bosses in the coming weeks.