Stalled West Bromwich homes plan can still go ahead, say council officers
A proposed multi-million pound West Bromwich housing scheme which ‘stalled’ and where the site has stood empty for four years can still go ahead, council officers say.
Sandwell planning committee is being asked to give the green light to an extra 28 houses on the site of a former quarry in Hall Green Road .
But residents say that because the original planning permission for 210 homes was granted in 2016, consent has run out and neither that plan nor the extra houses should go ahead.
Objectors are pinning their hopes on planning laws which state developers must begin work within three years or lose permission.
But despite none of the original 210 homes being built, council officers have said the scheme can go ahead because initial construction has begun.
In a report to the committee they say: “The applicant has implemented the 2016 permission, albeit works have subsequently stalled on site, nevertheless the works were deemed sufficient to confirm that the permission remains extant.”
Councillors are being asked to approve amendments to the previously agreed layout and house types while allowing 28 more homes to be built.
The site was quarried for sand and gravel during the 1950s before being used as landfill for industrial waste.
In April 2015 reclamation work removed chemicals and oils allowing it to be used for housing.
In their report recommending approval, planning officers said: “The change in house types is of satisfactory design and the increase in the total number by 28 would not have a detrimental impact on the highway network.”
Councillors will meet on August 5 to consider the application.
