{"id":10543,"date":"2022-05-23T05:57:38","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T05:57:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/whatliesbeneathrattlechainlagoon.org.uk\/?p=10543"},"modified":"2022-05-22T21:53:52","modified_gmt":"2022-05-22T21:53:52","slug":"putting-the-cons-into-coneygre3-housing-scheme-pie-in-the-sky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatliesbeneathrattlechainlagoon.org.uk\/?p=10543","title":{"rendered":"Putting the cons into Coneygre#3 Housing scheme pie in the sky"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The millennium came and went as the Coneygre site was left abandoned by Mintworth. With the dodgy recycling venture thwarted, it would be a couple of years before another housing development scheme entered the pipeline, this time on the adjacent sports field next to Newcomen Drive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This application by “Selbourne homes” was for “DC\/02\/38284 Erection of 32 detached and terraced dwellings and the construction of associated roads and sewers, land off Newcomen Drive, Tipton. ” <\/strong><\/p>\n

It is noted that this developer used a report written by Mintworth’s regular cronies SP Associates<\/strong> (Sladen Peters<\/strong>) that would later be just known as “Sladen Associates.” <\/strong><\/p>\n

The committee report for this application can be read below. It is noted that despite the previous applications associated with housing and the replacement of the sports field (ref BCS315\u00a0<\/strong>and \u00a0BCS851) , no application for relocation of the field was ever made, and the pitch was still being actively used. <\/strong><\/p>\n

DC_02_39284-COMMITTEE_REPORT-181843<\/a><\/p>\n

Both existing residents at the previous new build as well as businesses on the trading estate were against the extension. Individual letters of objection and a petition were submitted to Sandwell council. The loss of the pitch, without any replacement being provided\u00a0was also taken up by the quango Sport England.<\/p>\n

A site location plan is shown below.<\/p>\n

\n

DC_02_39284-SITE_PLAN-181948<\/a><\/p>\n

The application with 18 conditions was approved by SMBC on 16th May 2003,<\/strong> with some dubious proviso that a section 106 agreement would tart up the pitches at Victoria Park Tipton. I have to say that I cannot see how this money was ever spent on this location and I am highly dubious that the money totalling over \u00a335,000 was ever transferred for this purpose, despite the section 106 agreement. I wonder where it did go?<\/p>\n

DC_02_39284-DECISION_NOTICE-181844<\/a><\/p>\n

DC\/03\/41020<\/strong> Erection of 33 no. houses together with associated road and sewer works. |<\/span> <\/strong> Land At Newcomen Drive Tipton West Midlands\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

This subsequent application was for a revised layout of the above application, except that it crammed in 1 additional house to make 33 houses.<\/p>\n

The application can be read below.<\/p>\n

DC_03_41020-APPLICATION_FOR_PLANNING_PERMISSION-434304<\/a><\/p>\n

The new site layout can be viewed below, and shows how it would link up to the existing roads.<\/p>\n

DC_03_41020-SITE_LOCATION-434309<\/a><\/p>\n

The application received some objections as before but was passed by Sandwell council who were happy to see this sports pitch disappear.<\/p>\n

DC_03_41020-COMMITTEE_REPORT-434236<\/a><\/p>\n

The houses were built subsequently as the Mintworth site continued to be mothballed with no activity taking place.<\/p>\n

The extent of the Newcomen Drive estate as it still stands today is shown below, in context with the historic overlay map of where the former foundry and sports field were. It also shows the abandoned Mintworth land to the left, with its associated untreated limestone cave workings and shafts.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Some five years after this, Mintworth suddenly reappeared with another of their fanciful “remediation” schemes, this time for more housing on the site they had previously despoiled with their tipping operations.<\/a> Once again, there was widespread opposition to this scheme<\/a>, both from the Lindley Avenue residents and the Newcomen Drive residents, as well as the existing industrial premises on the trading estate.<\/p>\n

DC\/08\/49278<\/strong><\/p>\n

Demolition of industrial units to enable vehicular access into the site, regrading of the site and stabilisation of the old mine workings, residential development of up to 300 dwellings comprising access alterations onto Coneygree Road and Burnt Tree Road and erection of a landscaped acoustic bund (outline application). <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Newcomen Drive open space. <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This application has a curious pedigree given that various reports submitted in its support\u00a0appear to have been prepared for various parties. RPS were dealing with and claim to be acting for a “Peak Properties Limited”.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am suspicious that this was yet another in the long line of Mintworth guises, after all residents on both estates were well aware of the activities of this waste tipping polluter, yet the leaflet proposals delivered to homes does not mention them at all, except that it had been prepared by “the owners of the site”<\/strong> – I wonder why? \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

DC_08_49278-COMMITTEE_REPORT___SUPPORTING_DOCUMENTS-332773<\/a><\/p>\n

The main points from these outline proposals were<\/p>\n