Council Approves 92 New Homes in Wombourne Village
South Staffordshire Council's planning committee has given the green light to a development of 92 homes in Pool House Road, Wombourne, near Wolverhampton. This decision comes despite more than 30 objections from local residents who raised significant concerns about transport accessibility and flooding risks in the area.
Transport Accessibility Challenges
The approved development presents a substantial challenge for future residents regarding public transport access. Council documents reveal that the nearest bus stops are located on Planks Lane, approximately 900 meters from the site. This distance more than doubles the "best practice" maximum walking guidance of 350 meters to bus stops.
Attempts to reroute existing bus services to better serve the new development were unsuccessful. Council reports indicate that discussions were held regarding diverting parts of existing high-frequency services, but this was deemed impractical due to timetable inflexibility. Altering the service would have resulted in service losses elsewhere in Wombourne.
The planning document states: "While it is acknowledged that best practice guidance commonly refers to a recommended maximum walking distance of approximately 350 metres to a bus stop, this guidance is not a policy requirement and is not always achievable in every location."
Flooding Concerns Raised by Residents
Local resident Ian Hawkins, who spoke in opposition to the plans, highlighted persistent flooding problems on Pool House Road. He expressed concerns that the development would exacerbate existing drainage issues in the area.
"Pool House Road floods regularly and increasingly so; the drainage is not fit for purpose and the addition of the proposed housing development will only worsen this," Hawkins stated during the planning meeting. "The flooding causes problems for cars – some have already been damaged due to the flooding – and is located at one of the proposed crossing sites from the development to the Poolhouse Estate."
Hawkins questioned whether residents would be expected to wade through water to cross the road, suggesting this would become a reality if the development proceeded. He also criticized the council for abandoning the "brownfield first" principle, leading to urban sprawl and loss of green spaces.
Council's Justification for Approval
Despite these concerns, the council identified the site as a sustainable location for development. Wombourne is classified as a main service village, considered suitable for additional development and growth. The site is currently safeguarded land identified for development in the council's current development plan and is a proposed allocation in the emerging plan.
Sarah Butterfield, an agent advocating for the plans, emphasized the development's proximity to local amenities: "Footpath improvements and upgrades will enable safe walking routes for pedestrians to and from the site and there are a number of schools, the leisure centre, a Lidl supermarket, a medical practice and a pharmacy all within one kilometre of the site."
The council report noted that facilities within approximately 1,000 meters include:
- Cherry Trees School, Giggetty Lane
- St Bernadettes Catholic School, Lindale Drive
- Wombourne High School, Ounsdale Road
- Wombourne Leisure Centre, Ounsdale Road
- Lidl Wombourne Enterprise Park
- Dale Medical Practice, Planks Lane
- Wombourne Pharmacy, Planks Lane
Transport Services Available
Bus services available from Planks Lane include numbers 15, which serves Wombourne, Wall Heath, Kingswinford, Brierley Hill and the Merry Hill Shopping Centre, and 16A providing access from Wombourne to Wolverhampton. Additional bus services operate on Brick Bridge Lane approximately 1.1 kilometers from the site, with the 16 service providing access to Stourbridge and Wolverhampton.
The service runs on average three times per hour from 6am to midnight Monday to Saturday and every half hour between 9am and midnight on Sundays.
Development Details and Benefits
The development will deliver 92 residential dwellings with policy-compliant affordable housing and will significantly boost housing land supply in South Staffordshire. Council documents concluded that "there are no harms arising from the development that will significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits."
Pedestrian improvements secured as part of the planning application include upgraded crossing infrastructure along Giggetty Lane, providing alternative and shorter walking routes to bus stops on Planks Lane. These improvements comply with the National Planning Policy Framework requirement to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists.
