End of a nightmare as plans to swap Brierley Hill rubbish mountain for flats are backed

The decision signals the end of the nightmare for people living around the heap in Brierley Hill, which has towered over neighbouring properties since 2009.

Over the years residents have been left frustrated in their battle to get rid of the rubbish pile - which once reached 40ft - from the former Refuse Derived Limited site on Moor Street.

It was a saga that resulted in High Court action, while company director Robert McNaughton was even jailed for failing to remove it in 2013.

Bricks, wood and plastic - reaching 19ft - still remains at the site and has been there so long vegetation has sprouted from it.

But now the battle finally appears to have been brought to an end, with council bosses welcoming the development. A total of 94 flats will be built in its place.

Plans submitted by developer J and V Kelly to transform the site from the eyesore it has become and create dozens of new homes were unanimously approved by Dudley Council's planning committee on Monday night.

Councillor John Martin said: "I very much welcome this application. Residents living in Lindsey Place, Moor Street and North Street have suffered what can only be described as a living nightmare facing the huge rubbish mound that has built up. I wholeheartedly support this application."

Councillor Kieran Casey said: "It's clear to see from photos that the site is a mess and is in desperate need of regeneration and redevelopment.

"This application goes a long way towards doing that. It will deal with the problems on this site once and for all."

Chairman of the planning committee Councillor Qadar Zada reserved special criticism over what had gone on at the site and said he was confident approving the plan would bring hope for residents.

He said: "The people of Brierley Hill have suffered unnecessarily and it is time to move forward."