Pensnett business park plans return despite traffic concerns
Proposals for a new business park in Dudley have been lodged with council bosses – despite them being rejected less than two months ago over traffic safety fears.
Hinton, Perry & Davenhill, owners of clay roof tile manufacturing company Dreadnought Tiles, has resubmitted the plans for a new business park on a 2.45 acre site off Dreadnought Road, in Pensnett.
But the plans were halted in May, by Dudley Council's planning committee – after residents had voice fears over traffic safety and increase in heavy goods vehicles along Dreadnought Road and Tansey Green Road. The committee's decision came only a week after 17-year-old Charlie Leigh Burgoyne was killed in a fatal car crash after a vehicle overturned on Tansey Green Road.
Dozens of residents had object to the plans, as well as Dudley South MP Mike Wood – who feared the development would bring extra traffic, noise and pollution, as well as impacting the lives of people nearby.
Brockmoor and Pensnett Councillor Sue Greenaway said residents remain concerned over the resubmitted plans – stating they believe the same problems still exist.
Councillor Greenaway said: "I am supporting the residents in this objection. Pensnett does not need another trading estate. It already has at least three, two of which are quite large and in close proximity to the Dreadnought Road plan, both which regularly have empty units.
"The residents are very worried about large lorries and vans using the proposed new entrance, as they already suffer from the large brickwork lorries that use the entrance to the brickworks and regularly have to go onto the pavement on the residential side of the road to get into the site.
"The same problems exist for them as the first time the plans were refused."
A design and access statement submitted with the proposals, states: "Outline consent is being sought for commercial development. This will combine manufacturing/assembly with associated ancillary office based functions and the elements of storage.
"Such employment based activity is considered wholly appropriate for this locality, with excellent transportation links.
"The site falls within the DY5 Enterprise Zone (EZ) – where industrial employment uses and development accords with the vision for this part of the Enterprise Zone.
"The approach to the proposed development is from Dreadnought Road to the south of the application site. Service vehicles will enter and exit the development from a newly formed service road. From here the estate road will give access to the service yard and car parking areas ensuring adequate control and that no stacking of service vehicles will occur on the main highway."
