Residents "frustrated" at return of unpopular proposal for house in Wall Well, Halesowen

People living on Wall Well in Hasbury are dismayed to see the return of the proposal to demolish a garage and build a detached three-bedroom house in its place.

Eleven objections have been submitted to Dudley Council.

Concerns include the impact the house would have on daylight to neighbouring properties, as well as the strain it will put on local parking and access and its impact on the character of the area.

Community campaigner Andrew Tromans, who is backing residents, said an application for planning permission to demolish the garage and build a house was rejected in 2019 on the grounds that it would result in of loss of light and overshadowing of neighbouring properties and a lack of parking.

One resident who submitted an objection to Dudley Council, stated: "Yet again, we have written a response in direct objection to the plan.

"We are failing to grasp HOW it can be possible to re-submit a case that was rejected not only by Dudley Council, but also higher up."

Resident Kate Harrison, said: “A similar planning application to covert a garage on Wall Well into a town house was put in a while ago and was rejected by both Dudley Council and the Planning Inspectorate.

"The current proposal would restrict access to light and infringe on the privacy of people with adjacent properties.

"It is therefore very frustrating to be back here again.

"A lot of my neighbours share my concerns and I hope that the council and developers will listen to us.”

A design of the proposal by Beta Plan Ltd

An appeal against Dudley Council’s decision to turn down the original application was made on February 12, 2020 to the Planning Inspectorate, but was dismissed.

Andrew Tromans and Savannah Southorn, community campaigners for Belle Vale said: “We are giving our full support to Wall Well residents who are opposing this application.

"But think there is room for compromise. We would like to encourage the developer to engage in meaningful discussion with residents and take their views into consideration for their plans for the site.

"If this happens, we are confident that this matter can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction”.

Councillor Simon Phipps has called the application in for scrutiny.

He said: “I spoke with Ms Harrison back in January about this planning application and can entirely understand residents shock that an application that has already been rejected not only by the council, but also by the Planning Inspectorate has been submitted again.

"I have called in this application for further scrutiny by elected members, as no decision should be made without councillors reviewing the proposals and listening directly to the concerns of local residents.”

The application states that the house would be a good addition to the street.

It states: "The re-development of the existing garage is considered to make the best use of the land, considering the surrounding building and the position of the site."

It goes on to say: "The proposed development will maintain reasonable distance from properties neighbouring, therefore having less of an impact on privacy and light."

A report from Dudley Council's Highways Officers does not raise any objections to the proposal, which features two parking spaces.

To comment on the application visit Dudley Council's online Planning Portal and search for application P20/0436.

A design of the proposal by Beta Plan Ltd