Eyesore Dudley factories to make way for homes despite neighbours' fears
Revised plans to transform derelict factories in Dudley into new homes are to go ahead despite fears the properties will be too high.
The scheme to demolish the Bridge Trading Estate on St Peter’s Road to make way for houses, maisonettes and flats led to fears from neighbours that their homes will be overlooked.
Opposing the application, resident Michele Brown said the buildings are too high and would rob people of their privacy.
Saying she supported the redevelopment of the site, she told councillors: “I am most concerned – as my neighbours – that it will take away a lot of our privacy.
“It will be overlooking our house and we will have no privacy in our back garden or upstairs.”
She asked councillors to limit the proposals to houses, or tell developers to plant trees to screen off nearby homes.
Planning officers recommended the demolition of existing factories to make way for 32 dwellings.
Original designs for a three-storey building had led to similar complaints from residents who feared they would lose their privacy.
Developers have since lowered the proposed heights and reduced the length of one block to 16.5 metres, but objectors said the buildings are still too high compared to neighbouring houses.
Ward councillor Elaine Taylor said the development would remove an eyesore which blighted the community: “I understand the concerns of people but looking at the scheme this is going to be better than we have got now. I welcome this because the state of the land now is just making the whole area look bad.”
Planning officers told the committee the plans exceeded separation rules to stop new buildings dominating surrounding homes while planting trees would adversely affect the residents of the new flats.
Recommending granting planning approval, they said: “It is considered that the proposed development is acceptable in principle and that the detailed design of the scheme would not result in a detrimental impact on the character or appearance of the area, the amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring properties or adjoining uses.”
The plans were passed unanimously.
