Proposal for canal-side apartments on former industrial site slammed by councillor who says only a lunatic would build there
The derelict Rolling Mills offices could be converted into mews houses(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A senior Dudley councillor blasted plans for 90 new homes in Stourbridge saying it would be ‘lunacy’ to build on the proposed site.
Dudley Council has been asked to approve a scheme for new apartments on land next to the River Stour.
The development is split across two areas at Bradley Road and Canal Street comprising a mix of affordable homes, open market dwellings and news houses.
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In objecting to the application, Cllr Ian Kettle said: “This is a flood plain, I have seen the whole area under water as far as the eye can see, only a lunatic would build in this area.
“Also if developments of this nature are to go ahead we need a greater variety of size and design of properties.”
The Canal Street development, on the former historic Rolling Mills site, would be located on land in between the Stourbridge Canal and the River Stour.
The proposed development would consist of a block of 28 one and two-bedroom apartments and a block of 12 similar dwellings.
It is also proposed to create two mews houses in run down former managers accommodation and an administrative building on the site which is close to the Bonded Warehouse.
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The apartment buildings would be three and four storeys in height containing 36 two-bed and four one-bed apartments, parking for 50 vehicles would be provided to the rear of the development.
The second part of the proposed development is on the nearby Linkwood site on Bradley Road West.
Developers are planning 48 new affordable apartments in two three-storey blocks and 56 parking spaces.
Existing industrial units on the site would be demolished to make way for the new development.
A statement from planning specialists Leverturnercowdell in support of the application said: “The combined proposals present an attractive and highly sustainable form of development and efficient use of primarily derelict, previously developed ‘brownfield’ land.
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“They will provide much needed housing targeted at meeting local needs.
“The proposals incorporate the historic remnant of the former Rolling Mills administration offices/managers accommodation as housing, enhancing the public domain and amenity of Canal Street.”
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