Dudley councillors on the planning committee have been praised for exercising independent judgement by deferring a decision on a contentious social housing application until they visit the site.
The application concerns the conversion of The Woodlands, a former 17-bedroom care home on Bridle Road, into residential accommodation comprising four self-contained flats and a five-bedroom detached house. The plan has met significant opposition from local residents, including a petition with 104 signatures, raising issues such as fears over the property becoming a house in multiple occupation (HMO), concerns about crime, the impact on the area’s character, and increased traffic congestion.
At the planning committee meeting on 28 July, councillors voted to defer a decision on the application to inspect the premises firsthand.
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Councillor Andrew Tromans of Wollaston, who has objected to the proposal, praised the committee’s approach, saying, “I am grateful to councillors on the planning committee for their refusal to be led by the nose on this application. They will make their own minds up using the evidence of their eyes and ears, not directives from bureaucrats.”
He also highlighted traffic concerns, remarking, “Parking is already at a premium in this street; buses frequently become delayed because of parked vehicles. This development would add further traffic to an already congested road. If you want to understand how busy Bridle Road can be, come and see it at school pick-up or drop-off time. You do not need to be spoon-fed by officers to make up your own mind.”
Despite these concerns, council officers recommended approval, stating in their report that the proposal was acceptable in terms of design, character and appearance, heritage impact, residential amenity, highway safety, parking, ecology, biodiversity, arboriculture, and drainage. They further clarified that the application was not for an HMO and that any such future application would require separate planning consent.
Architect Stuart Dudley described the proposal as “a sensitive and substantial change of use and conversion of a vacant care home into a social housing scheme.”
Councillor Alex Dale questioned whether any traffic studies had been conducted. The committee was informed that an officer had visited the site and that the council’s highways officer had raised no objections.
Ultimately, councillors agreed to postpone their decision until after they have conducted a site visit to better assess the situation for themselves.
Residents and interested parties seeking details on planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications, and other community notices can visit the Public Notices Portal.