Pensnett business park plans backed despite dozens of objections

Around 2.4 acres of business space would be created in Pensnett under the plans.

But Dudley South MP Mike Wood fears the development will bring extra traffic, noise and pollution and have a major impact on the lives of people living nearby.

Councillors are set to make a final decision at a meeting next week and have been advised to wave it through by planning officials.

Hinton Perry and Davenhill, owners of tile manufacturing firm Dreadnought Tiles, and Antringham Developments are behind the scheme planned for Dreadnought Road.

It would see the creation of a new business park made up of either three units up to 16,725 sq ft or one unit of 40,000 sq ft.

The units will be suitable for a range of commercial uses, including industrial, storage and distribution.

The firms said the park will bring a major boost for the area, brining new business space and jobs.

However, the plans have been met with a backlash from people living nearby, who are being backed by the Conservative MP.

A total of 42 objections have been lodged and the MP is worried about the effect the arrival of a business park will have on people living on "quiet residential roads".

Extra traffic, large HGVs and air pollution are among reasons listed by residents for wanting the development scrapped.

Mr Wood called on the borough council to work with the firms to find a more suitable location for the business park.

He said: "I welcome investment and jobs from a development of this type but we have to look at this estate. It's a fairly quiet, residential area

"The roads are not really suited for a heavy volume of lorries

Planning documents said: "Mike Wood MP objects to the application; noting that Dreadnought Road and Tansey Green Road are not suitable for the heavy volume of commercial traffic that this development could reasonably be expect to generate.

"He considers that these are quiet residential roads and a development such as this would result in noise, congestion and road safety issues.

"Such a large number of vehicles would also have a detrimental impact on air quality. He goes on to state that many residents are concerned about the impact of this development and requests that due regard is given to the detrimental impact that heavy traffic would have on their quality of life.

"Finally, he states that he supports attracting such facilities and the jobs it would create, but on a better suitable site with better transport infrastructure."