Dudley planners have approved an application for five new detached homes on a derelict plot in Gornal Wood.

The development of the five-bedroom houses will be on the site of the former S and W Fireplaces unit on Himley Road.

The land has been unused since the demolition of the commercial buildings that previously occupied the 0.24 hectare plot in 2011.

Dudley Council had previously approved an application for seven houses on the site back in 2015.

Permission for a new house on Chawn Hill Close in Oldswinford has been refused after planners decided it would be ‘garden grabbing’ that would clutter the street scene.

The application for a three-bedroom dormer house was also thrown out because it would overlook a neighbouring property causing a loss of privacy.

Plans for three new houses on land in Culverhouse Drive, Brierley Hill, have attracted a series of objections from people concerned about protecting wildlife.

The application is a resubmission of a proposal dating back to 2021 which was refused both by Dudley planners and a government planning inspector on appeal.

The original scheme was rejected because building on the green space would have a harmful effect on the continuity of the green area and a harmful impact on the visual amenity of the area. 

In the latest application, planning consultants say they have responded constructively to concerns relating to the refusal.

Residents have been quick to have their say on the latest plan.

Sue Hazell wrote: “Any building will result in the loss of precious green space both for the residents and the reduction of wildlife habitat in the local area. 

This land forms an important wildlife corridor from Corbett Meadow to the canal.”

Plans have also been submitted to convert an empty five-bedroom semi-detached house on Sedgley Road, Tipton, into supported living accommodation for four adults with learning and mental health disabilities.

Residents would be encouraged to cook and carry out tasks to learn independent living skills,  the application also says the home would be staffed around the clock.