AN APPLICATION to build apartments on the corner of Lodge Road and Union Street near Asda has been thrown out by Redditch Borough Council.
The application to build a two-and-a-half storey apartment building consisting of eight one bedroom homes was submitted to the council by Highbury Design architecture firm on behalf of clients on April 18, 2023.
Plans were later amended to include only six apartments as well as a secure communal amenity area, visitor parking with electric vehicle charging, secure covered cycle storage provision for each property and an external refuse area.
The existing site is currently an open green space with a paved walkway running through it, with two trees on the land and permit holder only parking surrounding most of the plot.
The proposed development was refused on August 30 by Redditch Borough Council’s planning services following concerns the size of the proposed property would result in an over-development of the site and would have an adverse effect on the street scene and character of the area, causing ‘unacceptable harm’.
There were also fears the site could infringe on the privacy of nearby properties by overlooking the homes on Lodge Road due to the height of the proposed building.
Worcestershire County Council Highways Authority also expressed reservations about the application due to the potential impact on parking, pedestrian and cycle access.
During consultation, residents and Redditch Borough Councillor Sharon Harvey of central ward raised concerns over already limited car parking spaces in the area which were controlled via parking permits and could have been lost as part of the development.
Other issues raised during consultation included increased traffic, reduced access to bins, loss of trees on the site, insufficient detail on the proposed plans and inaccurate statements within the planning application regarding the busyness of the area.
Two proposed properties on the site had been previously supported by the council which was also raised as a concern during consultations.
