Nine-year planning fight for West Bromwich homes to go to inspector
A scheme to build homes in West Bromwich which has been debated nine times in nine years will finally be decided by a planning inspector.
Windyridge Property Investments Ltd has appealed to the independent arbitrator following Sandwell Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for nine homes on land at the rear of Vicarage Road and Ebrington Road.
Councillor Liam Preece said he had opposed proposed developments on the site since first becoming a councillor in 2013.
He said: “I am disappointed that the developer hasn’t listened to the objections of the local community and decided to launch an appeal.
"We will be asking the inspector to reject the appeal.
“I know the residents are still of a mind that this isn’t of benefit to the area and it’s an over-development of the site along with fears of access to the site as well.
“I and my fellow councillors will make sure that the planning inspectorate will have their concerns available to them when making his decision.”
The plan for five three-bedroom houses and four two-bed apartments was the ninth application submission to develop the site.
In 2011, an application for two bungalows was rejected but all subsequent proposals had been approved of which none of have been built.
Councillor Preece added: “Over time each application has expanded on the last and so what it seems the developer wants to do is make it bigger and bigger and that makes it less and less acceptable to residents.”
Last August, members of Sandwell’s planning committee rejected the proposal despite planning officers recommending it be approved.
