Victory for Kingswinford campaigners in fight to block shop

Dudley Council rejected the proposals for a 3,800sqft store on Stream Road on Monday, citing a detrimental visual impact and a adverse impact upon highway and pedestrian safety.

Dozens of objections from residents had been lodged prior to the decision, criticising the development, with more than 60 people signing a petition calling for the proposals to be stopped.

In a letter to developers, the council said: "It is considered that the size and scale of the proposed convenience store close to residential boundaries and gardens would have an overbearing and detrimental visual impact and would harmfully impact on the residential and visual amenity of occupiers of properties in Glynne Avenue and Arlington Close.

"The proposed development would fail to provide adequate off-street parking arrangements and would result in an adverse impact upon highway and pedestrian safety."

Councillor Peter Miller, who represents Kingswinford South, said the council had made the "right decision".

He said: "It's a victory for residents and it's a victory for road safety.

"I just think it was a bad plan full stop and in the wrong place. It's a place for local residents.

Danger

"It's on a main road, one of the busiest roads in the borough, and very near to a busy junction.

"I think parking would've created so much danger with it being near to the junction.

"There wasn't enough parking there. I don't think it was a very good plan. A lot of people spoke to me about it, a petition went in, and I put in an objection as a councillor."

Mr Miller said he would like to see new houses being built on the site, but only if it reflected the local area.

He added: "It needs to be something in keeping with the area.

"It's essentially a gateway into Kingswinford and what really needs to go there is some nice houses in keeping with the rest of the area.

"I would lend my support to housing, providing it was of a reasonable quality. It would be nice to see."