Delight as plans for Oldbury wildlife corridor thrown out

Opponents of the scheme praised the borough’s planning committee after it refused a proposed industrial development on land adjacent to the Asda store on Wolverhampton Road.

More than 20 residents attended the planning committee held on Wednesday to show their opposition to the scheme.

Phil Shakespeare, a resident of Titford Road whose home backs onto the site, said it was a victory for local people and the environment.

“I am absolutely overjoyed after seven months of hard work trying to get our points across," he added.

“We are elated for all the wildlife that has been completely unaware of what has been happening on their behalf. The sense of relief is overwhelming.

“We were all overjoyed at the decision and I would like to thank Sandwell Council for doing the right thing, for keeping residents informed and for showing some commitment to preserving our wildlife areas.”

Objectors said the land is home to badgers, foxes and bird species such as common buzzards and helps mitigate air pollution from the nearby M5.

They submitted 47 individual letters of objection along with an online petition of over 22,000 signatures to the council.

Mr Shakespeare added: “The huge public outcry clearly had an impact on councillors’ decision.

“It is a great story for the people of the community that the big corporations don’t always get their way.”

London-based Canmoor Ltd submitted plans to Sandwell for two industrial units of 7,503 square metres with car parking, a service yard and loading docks on the site which is owned by Asda.

In recommending refusal, planning officers said the proposal could give rise to severe highway safety issues.

They added the proximity and height of the development would also have an overbearing effect on nearby homes while a planned footpath would cause noise and disturbance to residents.

Accepting planning officers’ recommendations, members of the committee voted unanimously to reject planning permission.