New homes planned to transform former Dudley MEB site

C B Collier DY Limited wants to develop the former Midlands Electricity Board (MEB) site in Bull Street.

St James’s ward councillor Cathryn Bayton welcomed the proposals but called on developers to include social housing ‘to help people get their foot on the ladder’.

Contaminated

The planning application has been recommended for approval.

A Dudley Council report said: “Due to the previous industrial uses on the site it is contaminated with asbestos, hydrocarbons and other contaminants.

“Records held by the Coal Authority indicate that there are coal mining features and hazards, which have been considered in relation to the determination of this planning application, specifically both actual and probable shallow coal mine workings, thick coal outcrops and recorded mine entries (shafts).

Cleared

“(The site used to be an) MEB depot where electrical generating and distribution took place. Historically a railway line also ran through the site.

“The majority of the site has been cleared and currently there are a number of spoil mounds with it.”

The plans tie in with the council’s ‘brownfield first policy’ on new housing developments. The land is opposite Dudley Cemetery.

Councillor Bayton said: “As long as the development is a mixed tenure and includes social housing and family homes we welcome it and new homes in the borough.

“The developers would have to satisfy that all health and safety requirements are met regarding asbestos and mine shafts. But Dudley is built on mine shafts.

“But regarding on building on brownfield sites, we obviously want to protect our greenfield sites for as long as we can.”