Controversial quarry homes plan set for approval
Outline plans to build 650 homes on a 45-acre brownfield site in Kingswinford look set to get the thumbs up from planners at Dudley Council, nearly three years after they were first put forward.
The scheme proposed by Urban Remediation for the former Ketley Quarry, Dudley’s largest brownfield site, has been recommended for approval by planning officers ahead of a committee meeting today.
The recommendation comes despite over 500 objections from residents, and the area’s MP, over pressure on roads and services in the area.
Quarrying activity at the site, which provided brick-marl to the Ketley company from 1930, ceased in 2018 with remediation works completed to make the site ready for development completed later.
The proposals first put forward in 2022 for the near 100-year-old clay-pit have proved controversial with Kingswinford residents, some of whom fear a proposed through-road will be used as a “race track”, despite updated plans submitted in October 2024 aimed at addressing concerns put forward by planning officers.
In a scathing email in March, the leader of Dudley Council, Cllr Patrick Harley, called for the application to be deferred – criticising the scheme for investing the “minimum amount” in the infrastructure needed.
In his comments, he urged the council’s officers to work on improvements with the developer so that “much needed homes can be built” on the site.
Nonetheless, planning officers say the scheme is in line with national planning policies, which are tilted in favour of development due to the authority’s current under-supply of development land.
In their report, they added that the scheme would promote the regeneration of the surrounding area, and create a “strong, vibrant and healthy” community by providing a range of new homes and green space,
Around 8% of the scheme is expected to be allocated as affordable housing. The authority has also agreed section 106 contributions from the developer totalling £4.5m for education provision in the area, over the course of the development.
“The proposed development consists of up to 650 dwellings, mainly traditional housing of two and three-bedroom, some four-bedroom properties and a smaller proportion of one-bedroom maisonettes,” said a planning statement, prepared by consultants Bright & Associates.
“B&A has held lengthy negotiations with Dudley MBC regarding the site and its potential for residential development as well as holding a preliminary public meeting. At an early stage this included discussions during restoration and remediation to secure an appropriate after-use for the site.”
Documents and plans relating to the application can be viewed on Dudley Council’s planning portal using reference: P22/1734
The authority’s planning committee will decide the application on Wednesday, November 19 at 6pm.
