Cottage axe may not fall

Cottages near Kidderminster, once part of the Earl of Dudley's estate, appear to have been saved from the axe after new plans called for them to be modernised.

Plans were submitted in the summer to demolish Duckpen Cottages, Birmingham Road, Blakedown, which are believed to date back to Victorian times, to make way for a detached house and a twin garage.

However, new plans have been submitted to convert four existing bedsits into one house.

The original application, submitted by Arthur Morgan & Son Ltd of Stourbridge, sparked sadness from the clerk of Blakedown Parish Council, Roger Gurney, who said he expected some opposition as history was being removed from the area.

The new application is by the same firm but they refused to comment on the change in the applications.