Affordable homes welcomed amid plans to transform Stokes Forgings site in Brierley Hill
Much-needed affordable housing would be welcome in Brierley Hill, says a councillor backing plans to transform a well-known works site into a new estate.
Countryside Properties has submitted revised proposals to Dudley Council to build around 132 homes on the former Stokes Forgings’ hammer forging plant in Cochrane Road.
Councillor Christine Perks, Labour councillor for Netherton, Woodside and St Andrew’s ward, has said she believes the scheme would be supported by local people.
She said: “It is a scheme which should be built and is one that is needed and it will be welcomed by most in the community.
“I think people will support the scheme especially when we have residents struggling to get affordable housing, so I am pretty sure they will back it.”
Developers said the proposal would provide much needed housing for Brierley Hill on a brownfield site which has proved unattractive for business use and will help save green belt land from development.
The new plans for two, three and four-bedroom houses include the demolition of the existing factory and the creation of an access road from Vine street
The revised plans have been scaled back from an original application lodged in January which proposed 141 homes.
In December, Dudley Council granted permission for the demolition of the forge which closed in February 2011 with the loss of 100 jobs.
The new plan was registered with the council on April 15 – but due to the suspension of all council committee meetings because of the Covid-19 outbreak no date has been set for a decision.
