Four bungalows given green light for land near canal in West Midlands market town

South Staffordshire Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the proposals for land at Wharf Lane, Brewood, at a meeting on Tuesday (March 17).

The committee heard that the land, located in the West Midlands Green Belt, was considered to be “grey belt” in line with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) criteria. The proposals were therefore considered to be appropriate development in the Green Belt.

Brewood and Coven Parish Council supported the application and the Canal and River Trust raised no objections, a report to the planning committee said. But Brewood Civic Society objected, highlighting the Green Belt location and raising concerns about parking provision and access onto Kiddemore Green Road.

There were a further four objections from residents. Phil Growcott, who spoke against the application at Tuesday’s meeting, said: “My land lies lower than the development site and as such suffers from receiving additional water from the development site during excessive wet periods.

“The development contains a vast area of hard surfaces that rainwater runs off, rather than penetrates through and soaks away. This amplifies an existing problem with the site.

“Additional vehicular traffic is perceived to have minimal impact on the road surface. Four additional houses is at least eight vehicles, which will fill site parking allocation – this will easily double the usage of the lane, so will impact considerably on wear, as will construction traffic.

“Where are visitors supposed to park their cars? Will further hard landscaping be created to accommodate them, or will they obstruct Wharf Lane?

“I don’t dispute this is a site suitable for development. But one of the right scale and with fewer properties with less hard surfaces, ideally draining back to the main sewer, would be more appropriate.”

Ward councillor Diane Holmes said: “Initially I had no objections to this application, but I am a bit concerned about what Mr Growcott has just advised us of. I don’t think I have got an objection to it if these problems can be addressed.”

Councillor Victor Kelly asked: “Will the country track be made proper hard surface with Tarmac and drainage? The runoff from the development of four bungalows could pollute the canal.”

The meeting was told the Canal and River Trust had been highly involved with the process. Following considerable dialogue they were comfortable with the proposal, subject to a number of conditions.

Drainage of the site would be dealt with internally and there were conditions associated with runoff and stability of the canal.