Garage redevelopment on hold
Plans to build houses on the site of former Walsall garages have been put on hold after residents raised concerns about losing access to their homes.
Walsall Council’s planning committee had been recommended to grant approval to a scheme to build five new three-bedroom homes in place of 19 former lock-up garages on Fereday Road in Walsall Wood.
But Tim Thursfield, who lives in adjacent Sally Ward Drive, said the proposal by Walsall Housing Group (WHG) would see his family lose access to the back of their home that they have enjoyed for 20 years.
He said they felt penalised as a footpath would be kept for some of his neighbours to maintain access.
Jed Connor, agent for WHG, said they had originally listened to residents and agreed to maintain a footpath for all neighbours but added planning officers had advised against that.
Planners said there may have been concerns over security for the new homes had the access been maintained while extending the path would lead to a reduction in the garden amenity for one of the new homes.
But committee chairman Garry Perry said there was a willingness by WHG to address Mr Thursfield’s concerns and discussions should now take place.
Mr Thursfield said they used to park their car in one of the garages until last year when these plans were drawn up.
He said: “We purchased our home 20 years ago and one of the key attractions was the fact we had rear car and foot access to our garden.
“We were advised this had been the case ever since the property had been built 50 years ago.
“We used the garage until last year when we were abruptly told the private garages would be knocked down to make way for the proposed housing development.
“We became aware that due to this proposed development we were also going to lose the ability to drive up to our back gate.
“This meant if we ever have to bring large heavy items into our garden or carry our bins out the only access would be through our front door and along a narrow hallway into a small kitchen which would be completely unworkable.
“After viewing the proposed plans, we discovered that not only have we lost our private garage and car access to the rear of the property, we now have to accept that we will have no access at all, even on foot.”
Mr Connor said: “WHG have a programme in place to regenerate these brownfield sites, that are redundant and have led to fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, with new homes for the borough.
“Residents did raise concerns about access. We consulted with the council and we proposed to extend the perimeter around the site to access all the adjacent neighbours.
“Following consultation with officers, they recommended this was not carried out.”
Councillor Perry said: “This is not going to be a unique situation for WHG because they are moving to a process to redevelop some of this land across Walsall.
“There is some detail I’m not sure we can make a decision on, particularly around this access point.”
