Romsley residents raise concerns over garage site building plans

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RESIDENTS in Romsley have raised concerns about plans to build homes on three garage sites in the village.

Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) has submitted designs to develop an area behind Dark Lane, one at Yew Tree Place and one on the land between Waverly Crescent for a total of eight shared ownership and rent properties with rear gardens and car parking space.

Romsley Parish Council has already declared objections to the plans on two of the sites.

A council spokesperson said there was a ‘strong concern’ over the potential of increased street parking with the development of three homes in Waverly Crescent because of the loss of 30 garages.

Another resident said because the houses were going to be built at such a high level, it would be like looking out at the ‘Berlin Wall’, which would have a detrimental effect on their houses and any subsequent sale value.

The parish council also highlighted parking as one of the problems with developing the site at Dark Lane where three of the homes had been earmarked for.

The spokesperson added visibility was a problem on the road with neighbours already resorting to double parking.

Several residents also questioned whether the proposal was in keeping with the rural village surroundings.

The community safety team has also warned the area as well as the site at Yew Tree Place - where two homes will be built - could attract crime and anti-social behaviour due to the lack of natural surveillance.

Gary Fowler, assistant director of asset management and development at BDHT, said: “In order to provide much-needed affordable housing in rural areas, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust has submitted planning applications for eight shared ownership and rented properties on three small, bdht-owned garage sites in Romsley.

Bromsgrove District Council confirmed it had received the plans at the end of June and was currently discussing them.

Anyone wishing to comment on the applications can do so by selecting ‘planning’ at Bromsgrove.gov.uk and using the reference numbers 12/0596, 12/0616 and 12/0617.

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