155 homes in Smethwick hailed 'fantastic' for area

Proposals for the 11-acre site in Lewisham Road, Smethwick, have been submitted to Sandwell Council.

The brownfield land has 'been cleared, levelled and remediated' according to applicant Countryside Properties, which claims it is ripe for development.

A report submitted as part of the planning package claims the 155-home scheme will boost the character of the local area.

Houses will be a mixture of two, three and four-bedrooms and range from two-storey to three-storey. The plans have been welcomed by Councillor Preet Gill who said building homes on the overhauled site was long overdue. She said: "It's fantastic news to hear of this application.

"Housing in that area is in demand. We've had many people coming to us in surgeries saying they want to live there.

"It's also going to be a mixed group of housing which is really good." Councillor Gill said any new homes built in the borough would be welcomed as the council needed to increase its housing stock. She said: "Building more houses is one of our priorities as a council. It sounds like a great development.

"It's by the canal and a really good site. The amount of people wanting to stay in the area is very high and there's certainly the demand for housing there."

The developers, in a report to council planner, said the design would

add to the character of the conservation area, providing an appropriate frontage onto the Birmingham Canal and creating focal points within the development through the provision of landmark buildings, emphasising key areas of historic significance.

The report states: "The site is a former industrial site that has now been cleared and remediated, and is ready for development. It therefore provides an opportunity to deliver a development that enhances the conservation area."