A FORMER Brierley Hill haulage yard and workshop is set to be converted into new houses, despite strong opposition to the plans.

Dudley Council’s development control committee is expected to approve an application by Stourbridge-based MJR Services Ltd to build eight homes on land behind Cygnet Lane in Pensnett.

The derelict land was formerly home to a haulage company yard and workshop and, if approved, the plan would see a new cul-de-sac created with four two-bedroom and four three-bedroom properties.

But the plans have attracted criticism from residents in Cygnet Lane as well as councillors Judy Foster and Sue Greenway, who were concerned about pressure on existing drainage systems, houses overlooking other properties, loss of privacy, presence of bats and impact on traffic.

Planners, however, said the development would help meet a need for housing in the borough.

A report to committee said: “This is a vacant 0.3 hectare site, bordered by a derelict former railway line to the east, the gardens of residential properties on Cygnet Lane to the south and west, and the rear gardens of dwellings on High Street to the north.

“The site is relatively level, except for the northern end where it slopes downwards towards High Street.

“The site was last used as a haulage yard for construction purposes and is now overgrown with mainly scrub vegetation.

“A large number of trees overhang the site from the east.”

It added: “The redevelopment of the site for housing accords with both national and local policy.

“The development would provide new housing to help meet the borough’s demand for new homes, and the proposed type and tenure, layout and design are appropriate for the area and can be accommodated without any significant adverse impact on existing residents, trees and ecology, or the local highway network.

“The proposals would provide a high quality development, which is considered would make a positive contribution to the area and which constitutes sustainable development.”

The development control committee will meet on Monday (September 16) to discuss the application.