82 homes and 15 apartments at Former F And L Smout And Sons, Woods Lane, Cradley Heath

What was proposed

The application proposed 82 houses and an apartment block containing 10 maisonettes and five duplex apartments, with associated works.

“The applicant proposes a residential development comprising of 82 houses, one apartment block with 10 maisonettes and five duplex apartments. The development would be generally two storeys in height, with some houses rising to 2.5 storey in height and the apartment block increasing to three storey height. The development also seeks to retain the green corridor alongside southern boundary adjacent to the River Stour (SLINC).”

Officer report

The site and its history

The 2.8-hectare industrial site lies beside Woods Lane, a railway, the River Stour and protected wildlife land, with earlier permissions for demolition and housing.

“The Application Site 5.1 The application site area is an industrial site to the west side of Woods Lane with a site area of 2.8ha. The site also includes land on the opposite side of Woods Lane to the northeast. The main site is bounded by a railway line to the northwest. The site also includes land to the south designated as a SLINC and wildlife corridor. The River Stour bounds the southern edge of the site.”

“DC/17/60885 Proposed demolition of units. Approved 25.08.2017 DC/15/58907 Hybrid planning application - outline application (all matters reserved) for proposed residential development, and a full application for access link road from MacArthur Road to Woods Lane. Approved 23.03.2016 6. Application Details…”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways, flood, water, contamination, noise and air quality consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while heritage and wildlife bodies raised concerns.

“Public Health (Air Quality) No objections subject to the following requirements: a) Air quality assessment to be conditioned to set out the baseline air quality conditions and appropriate mitigation. b) Travel plan/travel assessment required by condition.”

“Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust Concerns were raised by the Trust in relation to the effects of the proposed development on the Stour Valley SINC and SLINC. An additional report was prepared which highlighted both mitigation and enhancement works post development. These will be conditioned along with a phase 2 Habitat survey.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant supported the scheme as suitable housing on a brownfield site, while an objector said it would displace a glazing business and its staff.

Members’ discussion

Members were reminded that private land matters were not relevant, and the applicant said design and site surveillance would address members’ concerns.

“Members were reminded that private land issues were not a material consideration that the Committee could consider.”

“Following further discussion, the applicant confirmed that the Council’s urban design officer had fully supported the scheme and that any safety concerns from West Midlands Police would be mitigated by the use of the surveillance that would be in place at the site.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Members were satisfied with the proposals and granted permission subject to conditions covering affordable housing, drainage, highways, ecology, heritage and other matters.

“Members were satisfied with the proposals and were minded to approve the application, subject to the conditions recommended by the Executive Director- Place.”

“I) Means of compliance to secure affordable housing; II) External materials; III) Contamination; IV) Finished floor levels; V) Boundary treatments; VI) Landscaping; VII) Foul drainage; VIII) Surface water drainage; IX) Estate roads construction details; X) Cycle storage; XI) Waste storage;”

Minutes