Homes plan for fly tip-plagued land in Walsall
A run down patch of Walsall land which has been plagued by fly-tipping looks set to be transformed by a new housing development.
Members of Walsall Council’s planning committee are being recommended to approve plans by M&E Consultancy (UK) Limited to build 18 new homes on the corner of King Charles Avenue in Bentley.
As well as the new homes, the area will have car parking, bin and cycle stores and landscaping works carried out.
Outline planning permission for the general principle of the scheme was granted in 2019 with developers now looking to rubber-stamp approval to carry out the work.
The 0.45 hectare space was previously occupied by 10 bungalows but these were demolished in the 1970s and the land is now mostly green and surrounded by shrubbery.
But concerns have also been raised about the disused land becoming a magnet for dumping rubbish.
Planners were sent a letter of support for the scheme by one resident who said: “Houses will be an asset to the street as fly tipping is ridiculous at the moment.”
In the application, planning agents Ackroyd Lowrie said: “This scheme proposes to develop an under-used and run-down site into high-quality residential space.
“The design process has considered the existing conditions, ensuring that the site history and adjacent properties inform the outcome of the design.
“As a result of this a scheme has been developed that incorporates modern detailing and unique touches that remains conscientious to its past usage and modern requirements. High quality dwellings will be provided in a tenure that reflects local needs.”
Planning officers are asking committee members, who will meet on March 10, to grant permission for the scheme.
They said initial concerns about the proposed layout of the homes had been addressed while other issues would be addressed through conditions imposed by officers.
A report to planning committee said: “The principle of redevelopment of this site for residential use and the access to the site was previously considered acceptable at the outline planning stage.
“This site is located within a predominantly residential setting and is identified in the Site Allocation Document as a housing site.
“Furthermore, redevelopment of a vacant and previously developed site would provide positive regeneration benefits to the local and wider area and improve the visual amenity of the area.
“The site is in an accessible and sustainable location and as such the current proposal is supported on planning policy grounds.
“Core strategy policy requires all new housing sites to provide a mix of housing sizes, whilst highlighting the need for family-sized housing. The proposal seeks to provide a range of dwelling sizes to meet local needs.
“There are numerous local amenities located within walking distance and there are two bus stops located adjacent to the site to provide access to Walsall.”
