Housing set for gardens

A major new housing development will be built at the back of homes in Hednesford after 18 homeowners agreed to sell part of their gardens.

Residents of High Mount Street will officially hand over the land to developer Welcome Homes on Monday before the new 22-house estate can be built.

It is the second stage of the development which initially saw David Crabb, 66, agree to sell his house to the company which is set to be demolished to make way for an access road.

Mr Crabb left land-locked Hednesford for Spain where he is now living along with a 34ft boat he created piece by piece in his backyard.

Welcome Homes paid for the vessel, which cost Mr Crabb £45,000 to make, to be transported to Spain where he has bought a house.

Mr Crabb plans to eventually sail it across the Atlantic to the Caribbean.

Nigel Farmer, of Welcome Homes, said: "Kevin Sherriff, our solicitor at Gardner Iliff & Dowding, has exchanged contracts with all 18 sellers' solicitors and will complete the purchase of land on Monday.

"It is usual to have one, two or three pieces of land to form a new development but 18 to our knowledge is a first in the West Midlands.

"We first contacted the residents in November 2004 and it has taken almost three years due to difficulties convincing local councillors the development would enhance the area.

"The majority of the land is currently overgrown, unused garden land.

"Many hours of negotiating in the front rooms of all 18 residents has been a challenge in order to meet their financial expectations and conditions of sale. We are pleased that the terms were met and all residents can now enjoy their windfall."

By Jo Mason