Fury as nod given to revamp 400-year-old Wolverhampton cottage
Controversial plans to tear apart the site of one of Wolverhampton's oldest houses and transform it into two homes and a bungalow have been given the go ahead by Government planning bosses.
The future of the 400-year-old cottage at 15 Church Hill, Penn, has been up in the air since developers Larchfield Homes bought the site two years ago.
A scheme to transform its interior into a pair of four-bedroom properties and build a large bungalow in the back garden was thrown out twice last year by planning bosses at Wolverhampton council.
But Larchfield Homes has now been granted permission to develop the site following a successful appeal to the planning inspectorate.
The move has sparked fury among residents in the area, many of whom had opposed the scheme on the grounds that it would be out of character with the area, would lead to a loss of privacy for neighbours and cause increased traffic congestion.
Margaret Large, aged 81, who lives in the house adjoining 15 Church Hill, said: "We have fought long and hard to stop this from going ahead but sadly the battle is now lost.
"It is extremely upsetting. The cottage is part of the heritage of Wolverhampton. There aren't many buildings as old as this around today.
"I'm not against progress and if the plans had been in keeping with the local area I would not have had a problem. I have so many concerns.
"The bungalow will ruin the view from the back of my house and there is already a lack of parking and too much traffic congestion in the area.
"I feel that the planning inspectorate have let us down."
Announcing the planning inspectorate's decision, inspector Helen Hocklenhull wrote: "I have found that the appeal proposal would not cause harm to the character and appearance of the area or the living conditions of the occupants of neighbouring properties."
Penn councillors' Paul Singh, Patricia Patten and Martin Waite are among those who have supported residents in their fight against the proposals.
Mr Singh said: "This is an historical building in a charming part of Penn. Residents are rightly concerned about the impact this development will have on the area.
"There is a real lack of common sense in this decision. It is difficult to see what positives can come out of this."
Larchfield Homes declined to comment when approached by the Express & Star.
Work could start on the site in the coming weeks following the completion of a surveyors report.
