Controversial homes plan given the go ahead

Earlier this month, Walsall Council’s planning committee granted permission for Kendrick Homes to bulldoze existing buildings at Stencils Farm in Aldridge Road to make way for the new development.

And this week, remaining ‘reserved matters’ such as confirming the appearance of the houses, highways access and environmental issues such as installing bat boxes and planting new trees were established by officers.

The plan originally went before the committee in June but worried residents from neighbouring streets packed out the public gallery and made their feelings known to members.

Their main objection was the size of two large houses that would face existing homes on Burton Farm Road and the impact this would have on their properties.

The matter was deferred and Kendrick took on board comments made and altered the plans, which residents were happier with.

The large homes were replaced with bungalows and the proposal was approved in August.

Members also added a condition to remove ‘permitted development’ rights, which mean owners will not be able to carry out any works – such as extensions – without going through planning committee.

At the August meeting, committee member Anthony Harris added: “While Kendrick had compiled with the law, there was an emotive issue here. But residents and planning officers have got around the table and resolved it.”