Appeal lodged over Tettenhall Clock House flats

McCarthy and Stone's plan to build 22 flats at 5 Stockwell Road, known as 'the Clock House', was unanimously rejected by Wolverhampton council's planning committee in June.

But the developers have now lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate, setting residents a deadline of September 29 to make any submissions about the scheme.

Back in June, members of the planning committee turned down the proposal, saying the new homes would be out of character for the village and the site was part of the Conservation Area.

The plans prompted discontent among residents, with more than 230 objections made to the council and a petition carrying more than 160 signatures submitted.

Reasons for the objections included an potential increase in traffic on Stockwell Road and connecting roads; loss of trees and natural habitats; insufficient parking provision and a view that more retirement homes are not needed in the village.

It also goes against the Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan, residents say, and would be the first development to impinge on Tettenhall Green.

Neighbouring resident Alex Murray, who started the 'Save Tettenhall's Open Spaces' Facebook group and campaign, said the Tettenhall District Community Council was due to meet this week to discuss the appeal.

Ahead of the meeting, he said the next step was for those opposing the development to send their objections to the inspectorate by the end of the month.

After that, a public meeting was 'pencilled in' for late October and Mr Murray encouraged people to attend and share their views.

"There are enough residents that are totally unhappy about it, and the council turned it down on conservation grounds," he said.

"The Neighbourhood Plan was put in place by the secretary of state for the people of Tettenhall to have a voice in what is going on, and we feel that is being ignored by McCarthy and Stone.

"That has been proven as they are still ploughing ahead with something the majority of people in Tettenhall do not want, so what is the point in the Neighbourhood Plan?"

Tettenhall Regis councillor Barry Findlay also voiced his thoughts on the appeal, saying he is 'angry and very disappointed'.

He said: "The development is far too large and the impact on the conservation area would be considerable.

"I opposed the original application and will be writing to the planning inspectorate to support the council's decision to refuse permission.

"I hope the inspectorate will consider the many objections from the local community and support protection of this important part of the conservation area."

Darren Humphreys, regional managing director at McCarthy and Stone Midlands, said: "Following a careful review of the council's reasons to refuse our plans for high-quality retirement apartments in Stockwell Road we have decided to appeal against the council's decision.

"We are confident our plans offer a sensitive design solution for this disused site, which will respect the setting of the conservation area.

"We consider the site is ideally suited to deliver much needed new homes for older people, a growing local housing need."