Outcry as controversial Tettenhall retirement flats get green light

McCarthy and Stone's plan to build 22 flats at 'the Clock House' on Stockwell Road was thrown out last year by Wolverhampton council's planning committee after a campaign against the scheme.

But the sprawling development is now set to go ahead after the firm lodged a successful appeal with the national planning inspectorate.

The decision has sparked an outcry among residents, who say they are considering appealing to a judicial review at the High Court.

Meanwhile, Tettenhall Regis councillor Jonathan Yardley, who is on Wolverhampton council's planning committee, said the decision had 'driven a coach and horses' through the village's neighbourhood plan, which seeks to preserve conservation areas and sites of historical significance.

"This is decision that will please nobody in Tettenhall," he added.

"The planning committee was unanimous in its decision to stop this from happening, yet the inspectorate has taken the opposite view.

"We have a neighbourhood plan in place to prevent unwanted developments. You have to wonder if there is any point when the decisions are simply overturned."

Alex Murray, who runs the Save Tettenhall's Open Spaces group, said 'disappointed' residents were questioning whether their views were ever going to be heard.

"The Government wanted localism, but this doesn't show that. We are considering our options whether to take this to the High Court."

The site of the proposed development was once owned by Mr and Mrs Edward Swindley, who donated Tettenhall's landmark clock tower on Upper Green in 1911.

A scale model of the tower adorns the house's garden which the firm has vowed to preserve as part of the development.

The family also left land to the village in the 1930s, including the Stockwell Farm duck pond which was converted into Tettenhall's paddling pool.

As part of the deal, Wolverhampton Council will receive around £320,000 from McCarthy and Stone from a section 106 agreement, with the money earmarked for community improvements.

Hundreds of residents had opposed the move. Reasons for the objections included a potential increase in traffic on Stockwell Road and connecting roads, the loss of trees and natural habitats and insufficient parking provision.

Many also argued that the village already has too many retirement homes.

In December McCarthy and Stone's plans for a 58-apartment complex on land at Tettenhall College were rejected by planners at Wolverhampton council.

McCarthy and Stone's regional managing director Darren Humphreys said the firm was 'very pleased' with the result of the appeal.

"From the outset we felt this site was ideally suited to deliver much-needed homes for older people, a growing local housing need.

"Our design for this disused site will deliver a new, attractive building, which will respect the setting of a conservation area."

McCarthy and Stone has been involved in a number of developments in the Black Country in recent years.

Last year the firm lodged plans to turn land at the historic Tettenhall College into dozens of apartments for elderly people. The scheme would have seen 58 apartments built on a large plot of vacant land that has been used as a car park at the grounds of the college in Tettenhall Wood.

But planners at Wolverhampton council threw out the scheme following 28 objections and a letter of objection from the Tettenhall and District Community Council.

Henry Carver, president of the Wolverhampton Business Forum and boss of the building supplies company in the city, has called for more consistency to Wolverhampton Council's decisions over planning.

"I do not seek to criticise the council over the appeal decision because the application went against the neighbourhood plan, the conservation area and caused substantial neighbourhood angst," he said.

"However, the firm's other application in Tettenhall does not have these drawbacks nor does the failed attempts to redevelop the Eye Infirmary.

"With a stronger appeal system this may be a time for Wolverhampton Council to re-assess their planning decision-making process."

Meanwhile, Walsall Council has approved plans for a development of 30 retirement homes at 41 Leighswood Road, Aldridge.

The work will involve demolishing several existing derelict buildings on the site and replacing them with a new three-storey building.

As part of the deal a section 106 agreement was struck, with the cash from the developer earmarked for affordable housing in the area.