Dudley fly-tipping hotspot to be turned into housing
Disused land which has become a magnet for fly-tipping is to be transformed into new council houses.
Dudley Council planners have given the green light for the seven new properties to be built on the former garage site behind some houses on St Georges Road.
The homes will feature three two-bedroom, three three-bedroom and one four-bedroom properties with off-road parking.
Objections were raised by people in two houses who raised concerns about the loss of direct access to their back gardens.
But officers said the proposal was acceptable and have granted permission for the scheme with conditions.
A report said: “The site is presently a disused area of overgrown land and was previously used as a garage site.
“The surface consists of predominantly compacted road stone or tarmac and areas of overgrown soft landscaping, with large amounts of fly tipped waste.”
Two letters of objection were received from local residents with the following comments: “We are objecting to this application because we will no longer be able to access our back driveway which we have used for many years.
“Loss of access to rear garden. I would also like to ask for the fire brigade to be consulted on this before any planning permission is given because it is such a tight site in case of an emergency.”
The report continued: “Current rights of access are not material planning considerations. They are purchased annually and can be extinguished by the council giving notice.
“The applicant has served six months’ notice on the termination of access rights in a letter dated 29th March 2021. The applicant also stated they do try to maintain existing access if possible, but in this instance, it was not possible.”
It added: “The principle of residential use of this site is considered to be acceptable as the proposal represents the re-use of previously developed for housing, at an appropriate density and within an urban area.
“The development would make a positive contribution to the character of the area and would not have any detrimental impact on residential amenity or highway safety.”
