Green light to pull down Shirley garages for much-needed new homes

Run-down garages in Shirley will be cleared for a new affordable housing development after the plans got unanimous backing from councillors.

While Royal Mail had objected to the Halifax Road scheme, which will sit next to its local sorting office, the postal service’s concerns received a mixed response from the planning committee.

Cllr Bob Grinsell (Con, Olton) had said it was “ludicrous” for the company to suggest that the seven new homes would impact on its running.

“They seem to be holding a stick and saying ‘we can’t operate effectively by these houses being built’,” he told this week’s meeting. “I’m sorry I think that’s nonsense.”

In its objection, Royal Mail had said that 3am starts at its Stratford Road base could pose problems for new residents, although planning officers were satisfied the design of the scheme would deal with any disruption.

Cllr Richard Holt, who chairs the planning committee, said: “One can understand their concern that residents of that new development may complain about noise and what they are flagging up is their concerns.”

Several councillors had welcomed the fact the unkempt set of lock-ups was being put to a better use.

Cllr Maggie Allen (Green, Shirley West) said: “We are very short of affordable housing in Shirley.

“[The garages] are empty mostly and to actually put some housing in there is a good idea as far as I’m concerned.”

Cllr Michael Gough (Con, Silhill) argued that run-down units tended to attract “graffiti, anti social behaviour and potential drug-taking.”

The scheme – which is one of several similar developments being brought forward at the borough’s garage sites – was backed by all nine members of the committee.