Residents living next to a half-built 'mega-shed' claim their lives have been turned upside down by noise, drilling, and construction vibrations from the 'monster metal skeleton'. The 90,000 square metre commercial facility is under construction in Bentley, Walsall, on the site of a former Holiday Inn hotel destroyed by fire in 2019. The project, the size of around 12 football pitches, has infuriated neighbours who say work began 'without any warning'.
Quality of life destroyed
Residents say their quality of life has been destroyed as the colossal structure blocks natural light and spoils their outlook, leaving them feeling they live beside a 'prison camp'. They claim drilling operations have caused their properties to shake throughout the day, leading to roof tiles falling, and worry their homes have been devalued by the 'huge eyesore'.
Mum-of-two Sunita Chhokar, 38, has lived on nearby Wilkes Avenue since 2008. She said: 'The hotel was never a problem - you wouldn't even know it was there. There was also a lot of nice green fields to look out upon but now all that has been taken away. Because of this we wanted to move but we fear the building will significantly devalue our home - who wants to buy a house with that at the end of their garden? Because of the drilling the house vibrates and I work from home so it proves incredibly frustrating as you can't concentrate. This was done without any proper consultation and looking at the council planning site, they said it would be 14 metres tall and be below the tree line. But it looks a lot taller than that and they haven't even put the roof on yet. Once it is built, I worry about the noise as it sounds like it could be 24/7. We won't be able to sleep at night. There's already been break-ins before it's even built - I'm worried about crime as criminals might start breaking into houses too.'
Residents' concerns
Great-grandmother Kath Watkins, 75, said: 'It's an absolute monstrosity. We came back from a break and they had started throwing it up - we didn't have any idea if was going to be this big. My main concerns are the noise and the increased traffic once it has finished. I'm also worried about the depreciation to my property and whether I'll be able to sell it in future. I can see it from my kitchen window while I wash the dishes and it has been really noisy in the day. I can't understand how they got permission to build it that big and that close to people's gardens.'
Satnam Lal, 58, said: 'All the neighbours appealed this and started a petition but nobody listened to our concerns. We were aware of the planning application but not that it had been approved until work started just before Christmas. We didn't know it had the go-ahead until it sprang up without any warning. Since then it has been horrific - my roof tiles have been damaged by the vibrations caused by the drills. We had a beautiful view beforehand and now all we can see is this. I'm concerned what it will be like with all the lorries coming and going once it opens - it's going to be 24/7. So even once the building work is done we will have to contend with that. My mother passed away quite recently and I was planning on selling up and moving out of the area - but I don't think I will be able to sell now. Who wants to look at that every day? I think it must have wiped at least £20,000 to £30,000 off house values at least.'
Developer and council response
Commercial developer Graftongate and Cilldara Group obtained the site and are behind the construction of the new building off Wolverhampton Road West, which will be known as 'Walsall 90'. The site has been earmarked for general industrial and storage purposes while featuring space for parking and manoeuvring HGVs suited to a single-occupier logistics operation. Graftongate's website said the new scheme would be built to industry-leading standards containing the latest technologies and features including energy panels, EV charging points, and low-energy LED lighting. On completion the scheme will also benefit from a 131ft (39m) deep yard with a 50ft (15m)-tall arch.
The firm's construction director James Martyn-Smith said previously: 'Walsall 90 offers prospective occupiers the chance to create a premium quality logistics unit to meet their needs. We will be delivering a highly efficient development, loaded with sustainable features, that will appeal to a range of businesses. The site lies in a prominent location, with direct access to Junction 10 of the M6.'
Walsall Council granted planning permission for the development of the vacant five-and-a-half-acre site three years ago. A council spokesperson said: 'Residents were notified of the planning application and any comments received were considered before planning permission was granted in May 2023 for the construction of a commercial unit on the site of the former Holiday Inn. The developer is understood to be delivering the unit in accordance with the planning permission and the attached conditions.'
Graftongate and Cilldara Group were contacted for comment.
