The Petition of residents of Woodside Close, Walsall and others,
Declares that the Petitioners object to the proposed redevelopment at 1 Woodside Close, Walsall WS5 3LU, planning reference 11/1217/FL, involving the demolition of existing buildings and construction of 14 two-bedroom apartments, on the grounds that the Petitioners believe that the redevelopment is an overdevelopment, incorporating a third storey in the roof, out of character with the area, and that the development is in an unsustainable location, with insufficient parking together with parking on the frontage, as shown on the plans, along with inadequate amenity space.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to encourage Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to consider the objections of the local residents.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Valerie Vaz, Official Report, 20 December 2011; Vol. 537, c. 1314.]
[P000993]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government:
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is aware that a planning application has been submitted to Walsall Council. He is advised that the application validated 6 October 2011, is currently the subject of an appeal against non-determination, under Section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Walsall Council is responsible for the day-to-day development management matters in that area. In determining any planning application, the local planning authority is required to have regard to the development plan for the area, and to any other material considerations. There is a statutory framework in place to ensure that local planning authorities publicise the planning applications that are submitted to them, and have regard to any representations that they receive on those applications from members of the community and others.
As the proposal is currently the subject of an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific issues raised in the petition. In general terms, any comments made at the planning application stage will be passed to the Inspector, and interested parties then have an opportunity to provide additional comment at the appeal stage. Planning Inspectors are required by law to determine a planning application in accordance with the statutory development plan, which includes core strategies, local and national policies, and other relevant material considerations.