New homes plan on ‘danger’ land set to be approved

Housing developer Real Homes One Limited wants to build the properties on Bourne Street in Coseley.

The site was a former tip and quarry, which was was filled in over three decades – being completed in the 1980s.

Dudley Council officers have recommended the scheme for approval ahead of a meeting next week.

But the land has been labelled ‘potentially dangerous’ by a UKIP councillor, who questioned whether ‘due diligence’ has been carried out on the proposals.

And a 527-strong petition from residents has been submitted against the plans along with 32 letters of objection.

Upper Gornal and Woodsetton ward councillor Dean Perks said: “The majority of what people feel is that they are clearly against the planning application.

“There are clearly mines under the site, hence why the tip followed. I think there needs to be debate over the situation as the site is potentially dangerous. I am not convinced there has been due diligence.”

Two previous bids to build homes on the site in 2005 and 2011 were refused. But the local authority has failed to meet housing targets since 2006 and council bosses are keen to develop new homes.

The council says the housing developer must ensure 25 homes are ‘affordable’, and the developer must also pay £203,280, which will go towards ‘education’.

Project planners say the land is contaminated and could pose a risk to human health, as it was formerly used as a landfill to dispose of rubbish.

But the ground would treated if the project was approved.