Express & Star

Saltwells Nature Reserve campaigners play waiting game over homes plan

The future of a much-loved Black Country nature reserve could still be up in the air – as campaigners wait to see if developers appeal the rejected planning applications.

Published
A huge number of people turned out to protest to safeguard the future of Saltwells Nature Reserve

Controversial plans for the nine large homes to be built on the site of Saltwells Nature Reserve were rejected earlier this month by council officers using delegated powers.

The application by KB Extruders for the spacious four and five bedroom homes also included double garages and additional parking spaces.

Conservationists and campaigners want the land to be incorporated in the wider 247 acres of the reserve.

The proposal was condemned by residents and conservationists who quickly lodged almost a 1,000 formal objections and collected a 10,000 signature on-line petition.

Since that decision, they have lobbied the council to include the former Saltwells House site into the wider reserve thereby preventing any future planning applications.

Lesley Dunn, a local resident and opponent of the development, said council officials have said they cannot consider the request until they know if developers will contest the decision.

She said : “The plan has always been to protect the reserve and then to secure the land and ideally, for the council to gift that tract of land back to the wood but there is six months in which the applicants have the opportunity to appeal and the council seem to be saying they can’t make any decision until after then.”

Helen Martin, chief officer for regeneration and enterprise at Dudley Council, has written to the campaigners, saying: “As you are aware, the planning application on this site was refused on a number of grounds.

“Within six months of the date of the decision, the applicant has a right of appeal, which they may (or may not) choose to exercise.

“Until this time in May 2019, the Council is unable to make any firm decisions (or commitments) as to the future of the site.”

KB Extruders said no one was available for comment.

By George Makin

Local Democracy Reporter

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