Wordsley Manor homes plan deferred

Posted on by Listify Me

Wordsley Manor homes plan deferred

6:05pm Tuesday 11th January 2011

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    A PLAN to build new homes in the grounds of an historic manor house in Wordsley has been given a reprieve while councillors and developers hold further talks.

    Dudley Council planners had recommended refusal of the scheme to build 14 new houses in the grounds of the grade II listed Wordsley Manor, over fears the development would harm bats and slow-worms
    on the site.

    But at Monday’s development control committee meeting – councillors agreed to defer making a decision on the project while further discussions are held with the developer about how the resident
    wildlife can be protected.

    Councillor Geoff Southall said: “They haven’t done enough to address any mitigation, but providing they can do a bit more work in terms of protecting natural species I think the committee might be
    more inclined to look favourably on it.”

    Hagley based Selbourne Homes Ltd has submitted the plan – which manor house owner Christopher Firmstone says is necessary to cover the £400,000 costs needed to restore the 18th century historic
    building.

    Developer Gavin Warr from Selbourne Homes told the News: “We’re pleased with the outcome. We feel with a little bit more work we can take it back to committee and get an approval.”

    The application is the fourth to affect the site. During the 80s separate plans for ten and 12 detached homes were refused and an application for 14 houses was withdrawn in December Christmas 2009.

    As well as the concerns raised by Natural England – the latest plan has also prompted residents worried about the effect on wildlife, flooding and traffic problems to submit a 106-name petition
    objecting to the development.

    Council officers, however, say the scheme would not increase the risk of flooding and neighbouring roads could accommodate extra traffic.

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