Sandwell Council's planning committee this evening voted to reject plans to build luxury homes on the land alongside Thimblemill pool.
Smethwick Ward councillors Richard Marshall and Linda Horton, and Abbey councillor Bob Piper urged the committee to throw out the plans because they were damaging to wildlife, destroyed the natural woodland, and the developers had not demonstrated that these homes would benefit the area. They also pointed out that Thimblemill Road was an accident blackspot, and the opening to the new estate was in a dangerous stretch of road where school children cross.
Highways officers assured they thought the road was safe – despite the fact that a crossing point was installed there only about a year ago.
Councillor Steve Trow raised some good points about the section of the report which said the land was under-utilised. “It isn't under-utilised by the wildlife and fauna that exist on that land.” Councillor Roger Horton agreed, saying, “I cannot accept that this will not represent a loss of visual amenity, as well as the other creatures that share this planet with us.”
Refusal was carried unanimously!
The Bearwood Blog 
Thanks goodness someone has the sense to throw this planing
out phil. Use brown field site’s first
Absolutely brilliant news
Local democracy in action…….residents did NOT want this and our Councillors listened to the voice of the people…..well done Bob, Richard, Linda, Steve and Roger…..you listened to us!
It really is brilliant news – well done and thank you for all your hard work.
common sense prevails considering the empty “luxury” homes on the site of the former Two Brewers public house.
Hooray Hooray Hooray. Great News for the local Community. A Big Thank You Richard, Bob, Linda and Roger. Job well done
thank you to every single person who helped in anyway to not only inform every step of the way but also to all those who have fought for this wonderful site on behalf of all the residents ladies and gentlemen commonsense has prevailed thank you
Good news and well done.
Thank you Sandwell Council .a truly sense able decision .Well done to all those local people for helping to keep the last little piece of Wildllife in the area
Thank the lord someone has some sense to think of nature rather than line thier own pockets its great news.
Sense in Sandwell really well done I’ve got to admit I am concerned where they will target next.
As for the Two Brewers site isn’t that the daftest bit of planning- no private drives and ‘gardens’ big enough for a rotary washing line
Yes, and marketed as…luxury homes!!
I know its a daft question but what makes a home ‘luxury’?
An estate agents imagination I reckon.
Great news!
That’s really great news
Fond memories of my child hood phil
Didn’t ‘Linda’ approve of the proposal?
No, she isn’t on the planning committee and couldn’t ‘approve’ it or otherwise.
And who actually owns the land?
The club, as far as I know.