Residents living next to a colossal, half-built commercial structure in Bentley, Walsall, are raising alarms over the severe impact the ongoing construction has had on their homes and daily lives. This massive 90,000sqm development—equivalent to roughly 12 football pitches—is being erected on the site of a Holiday Inn hotel that burned down seven years ago.
Locals say the enormous “mega-shed,” described as a “monster metal skeleton,” rattles their homes continuously and has already caused physical damage such as displaced roof tiles. Many homeowners report that the project was launched without proper warning or consultation, leaving them blindsided by a building that dwarfs the promised scale.
Sunita Chhokar, an NHS worker residing nearby since 2008, described the transformation of the area: “The hotel was never a problem—you barely noticed it. There were green fields to enjoy, but now all that is gone.” She expressed fear that the presence of the giant new building will dramatically reduce property values and compromise her ability to work from home due to constant vibrations disrupting concentration. “It was supposed to be 14 metres tall and below tree height, but it looks much taller already,” she added, worrying about non-stop noise once the facility opens.
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Kath Watkins, a retired housing officer and 75-year-old resident who has lived opposite the site for nearly five decades, called the development “an absolute monstrosity” that overshadows their view. She is concerned about not only the noise and traffic but also the potential drop in property prices and general quality of life. “I just can’t understand how it was permitted to be built this close to gardens,” she said.
Fellow resident Satnam Lal emphasized the financial and emotional toll since construction began abruptly before Christmas. Despite petitioning and raising objections, residents feel ignored by authorities. “My roof tiles have fallen off because of the vibrations,” he said. “The noise, the traffic—it’s relentless. I doubt I can sell my house now.”
Another local mother voiced her frustration about the ongoing disturbances, from blasting music to intrusive cranes, and the sense of lost privacy. She likened living next to the site to residing beside a lighthouse due to flashing security beacons triggered by break-ins. The construction, she says, has turned a once peaceful neighbourhood into a noisy eyesore resembling a “prison camp.”
The original Holiday Inn was destroyed in a devastating fire in 2019, which exposed safety shortcomings such as the lack of sprinklers. Since then, commercial property developers Graftongate and Cilldara Group have taken over the site to build ‘Walsall 90’—a state-of-the-art logistics and industrial facility designed with sustainable tech including energy panels and EV charging points.
While the development boasts modern features and direct access to the M6 motorway, the community’s discontent is clear. Walsall Council, which approved the project three years ago, states that residents were notified and their comments were considered before planning permission was granted. The developer is reportedly adhering to the approved plans and conditions.
Despite this, the residents’ distress continues as construction progresses with significant vibrational damage and noise, profoundly impacting their homes and wellbeing.