Protest over development in leafy Wolverhampton suburb
Proposals to demolish a two-storey property in a leafy Wolverhampton suburb and replace it with three new homes and a garage have met with protest from neighbouring residents.
City council planners, who will discuss the application next week, have received a 26-signature petition from people in the Tettenhall Wightwick ward, protesting against the development bid for 5 Ormes Lane. Six individual letters of objection have also been received.
Protestors in the village have given a number of reasons for opposing the plans, including the loss of a property in the conservation area; an increase in noise due to three large families living at the new properties; the possible impact on protected species of badgers and bats in the area and the loss of protected trees.
Residents also say the development by Wolverhampton construction company Three Pines Ltd, based in Cullwick Street, would also make access points off Ormes Lane difficult to navigate due to the narrow nature of the road.
In a report to planners, Councillor Harman Banger, the council’s cabinet member for economy, said: “Although the site falls within the Tettenhall Conservation Area, it is not visible from the road and is reached by a private drive between number 1 The Holloway and 6 Ormes Lane.
“It sits on a ridge and is screened from the road by dense shrubbery and trees. The surrounding area is predominately residential and has both period cottage-style homes and rectangular block properties.
“As this is a plan for a residential development in a residential area, in principal it is acceptable. The existing property is already in a state of disrepair and it contributes very little to the character of the conservation area, so its loss is acceptable.
“Some trees would be lost due to the development. However, these particular trees are not considered to be of a quality that needs preserving, and additional tree planting will be carried out,” he added.
“The green leafy setting will be retained and the overall development would have a neutral effect on the appearance of the conservation area.”
Council planners said they felt the proposals would not be detrimental to the character of the area.
An ecology report said that no badgers, bats, or amphibians had been found on the site However, further checks have been recommended prior to any site clearance work.
Wolverhampton Council’s planning committee has recommended the plans be approved, subject to a number of conditions.
