Plan seeks approval for new apartments by Stourbridge Canal

Revelan Developments Ltd, based in Halesowen, has submitted an application seeking planning permission for the 94-home development on former industrial sites off Bradley Road and Canal Street.

The scheme proposes building 48 one and two-bedroom affordable apartments on the former Linkwood industrial site off Bradley Road and 46 one and two-bedroom apartments – three to four storeys in height – on land fronting Canal Street.

A new office development is also proposed near to Stourside Hospital, off Bradley Road.

A design and access statement says: “The sites present a unique opportunity to deliver much-needed mixed housing, targeted at growing acute need, with an element of appropriately located business development, that combined will demonstrably preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area, benefit the local economy and significantly improve security, amenity and linkage with the neighbouring area and facilities.”

The proposed development site off Canal Street, Stourbridge (Image: Bev Holder/Newsquest)

Planning permissions were granted in 2010 and 2014 for development of the Rolling Mills site for a mixed residential development of 85 dwellings comprising 51 one- and two-bedroom apartments fronting Canal Street and 34 detached, semi-detached and terrace houses fronting Bradley Road.

The new application, the design and access statement states, takes account of changing socio-economic and housing need circumstances, new and emerging planning policies, recent planning permission given for a new church to be built on-site, the completion of nearby Stourside Hospital and Lion Health centres and ongoing development to the northern side of the canal at Old Wharf Road.

The proposed Canal Street development site overlooks Stourbridge Canal, with Stourside Hospital located to the rear (Image: Bev Holder/Newsquest)

Discreet communal car parking would be provided to the rear of the Canal Street apartments which would have open plan living/dining/kitchen areas, with ensuite facilities in the two-bedroom apartments.

The proposed Linkwood site apartment development would comprise 32 two bed and 16 one bed units within four blocks comprising four-storeys and communal landscaped parking court.

The design and access statement states: “The development will replace a large unsightly derelict hardstanding area and modern industrial units of low architectural merit that detract from the emerging redeveloped street scene to the northern side of Bradley Road.”

Two pitched roof office buildings of two-storeys are proposed to front Bradley Road. They would be set back from the road with landscaped communal parking at the front.

The design and access statement, prepared by Lever Turner & Cowdell Limited on behalf of Revelan Developments Ltd, says the plan “presents an attractive and highly sustainable form of development and efficient use of primarily derelict previously developed brownfield land”.

The proposed Canal Street development site overlooks Stourbridge Canal, with Stourside Hospital located to the rear (Image: Bev Holder/Newsquest)

It says the scheme would provide “a much-needed form of housing targeted at meeting local housing needs, and an element of appropriately located employment use”.

The statement adds that the scheme would turn derelict sites into positive developments, increasing security in the area and “promoting a positive sense of place” and it adds: “The development will preserve and enhance the Conservation Area and the setting of the neighbouring listed buildings and heritage assets. It is sympathetically designed in the context of its surroundings and will have positive impacts, delivering a long-term appropriate and viable use.

“The proposals represent a significant positive investment, providing sustainable housing and employment whilst safeguarding/enhancing the setting of multiple heritage assets. The development will encourage investment in the nearby town centre and help to sustain nearby retail and community uses and services.”