Dudley Council has granted approval for 68 new homes in Netherton, moving forward with plans despite the Canal and River Trust’s warnings about potential flood risks linked to the nearby Dudley Canal embankment.
The proposed development, situated on the former Tromans Industrial Estate off Halesowen Road, would involve demolishing current structures to pave the way for 60 flats within four apartment blocks, alongside eight three-bedroom semi-detached houses. The development, led by Alps Homes Limited, would be accessed via Saltwells Road.
The Canal and River Trust, which was first consulted in 2023, has consistently expressed concerns over the lack of sufficient information to confirm the project’s safety. In a letter dated February 12, 2026, the Trust stated: “We continue to consider that there is insufficient information available to ascertain that the development could proceed without harm to the support for the canal and thus without flood risk.”
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The Dudley Canal runs elevated along the site’s northwestern boundary, held by a retaining structure that remains partly obscured by vegetation, complicating assessments of its condition. The council describes it as an “assumed retaining structure,” highlighting uncertainty in its precise positioning.
Despite these concerns, Dudley Council officers have recommended approval, acknowledging the site’s derelict state and emphasizing the benefits of transforming it into residential use. An officer’s report noted, “Residential development will allow an untidy site to be redeveloped and improve the appearance and character of the area with associated regeneration benefits.”
A statement from Simpatico Homes, representing the developer, emphasized the positive community impact: “This development proposal represents an opportunity to provide high quality homes on an allocated housing site, meeting housing needs in the local community. The submitted scheme would greatly enhance amenity and vitality in the area, replacing a semi-derelict industrial site with attractive homes surrounded by generous areas of public realm and soft landscaping.”
Balancing housing demands and flood risk concerns, the Council concluded that the benefits and government pressure to increase housing supply outweigh the reservations expressed by the Canal and River Trust.