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Major retail and housing plan for ex-Dudley brickyard

A major housing and retail development will go ahead in the Black Country after being approved by councillors.

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Up to 200 homes, retail facilities, a gym and restaurants would be created under ambitious plans for a former brickyard in Pensnett, Dudley.

The plans for the vacant site of Ibstock Brick, off Stalling's Lane, have been described as a landmark development for the area.

Dudley Council's planning committee approved the application on Tuesday night, despite concerns over noise.

In addition to the construction of up to 200 homes, the masterplan includes 7,205 sq m of retail space, 700 sq m for gym and leisure facilities, and a family pub or restaurant spanning 590 sq m which will completely transform the seven-hectare site, which was previously used for clay extraction and brick manufacturing.

A new roundabout would also be built on Tansey Green Road.

Some members of the planning committee admitted they were uneasy about the possibility of nearby residents and businesses being impacted by noise from the site.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, who voted to refuse the application, said: "The noise, to me, is quite a lot. Although there is going to be a sound barrier, I am not sure it is going to work well.

"I am unsure of the effect it will have long term on neighbouring businesses."

Council planning officers insisted measures would be taken to mitigate the noise impact and raised no issues with the development, advising committee members to approve the application.

And committee chairman Councillor Kieran Casey said: "Work seems to have been done to mitigate noise to potential residential units. I think it will go a long way to addressing the concerns. I have got no problems with the application."

The decision means the applicant, Ibstock Brick and Hawkins, has been granted outline planning permission for the scheme, called Tansey Green.

More details, including the scale and layout of the development, will be discussed at a later stage.

A statement from Ibstock Brick and Hawkins, submitted with the plans, said: "Tansey Green represents a significant opportunity to deliver a mixed use development which responds to local retail, leisure and housing needs.

"The scheme unlocks major economic, social and environmental benefits, on a site suitable for development."

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