A PLAN to build six new apartments opposite an Asda Superstore in Redditch has been rejected. 

An application was submitted to Redditch Borough Council by Kim Lingiah from Property City Limited in April for new flats on the corner of Lodge Road and Union Street. 

Lodge Road residents previously raised concerns over limited parking on the street on the council’s planning website.

Resident Asha Nasir said: “Over the years an increasing number of properties have been turned into flats and HMO granted resulting in a higher volume of vehicles and residents on Lodge Road.

“Parking is already a nightmare on Lodge Road and with the additional apartments this will further aggravate the situation.”

The nearby streets currently use a permit holder parking system, but some of these spaces were set to be lost to improve vehicle access to the site.  

Another objector said: “I wish to oppose this application in the strongest possible terms. I am disabled and already struggle with the parking on Lodge Road and Union Street. The approval of this application will make parking matters much worse.”

The council has now refused planning permission for the new homes.

As part of the refusal notice, the head of planning, regeneration and leisure services said: “The proposed development by reason of the quantum of apartments proposed, the building’s bulk, width and depth would comprise an overdevelopment of the site, together with the proposed design would have an adverse effect on the street scene and character of the area, causing unacceptable harm.”

They added that the proposed development would cause a “loss of privacy” for existing residents due to the flats overlooking other properties.

An application was previously made for eight new flats, but later amended due to concerns about increasing traffic congestion and the lack of information provided by the developer.