DUDLEY Council planners have rejected a plan for a new electric vehicle (EV) charging centre to save trees growing on the site.

The application was for a site containing 12 EV charging bays and a coffee pod on Farthings Lane in Netherton close to Thornleigh Trading Estate.

Despite the location in an industrial area, the site had a tree preservation order in place and planners ruled the proposal failed to protect ‘green infrastructure’.

A report for planners by council officers said: “The proposed development would result in the loss of protected trees that would have an adverse impact on the visual amenity within the street. 

“The development would also result in an unacceptable loss of ecology that form part of the established Green Network.”

Planners also concluded the site falls within a high risk area for former coal mining hazards and the application did not provide enough information on how risks would be mitigated.

Planners have granted permission for a four-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) despite 17 letters of objection from the property’s neighbours.

The semi-detached property is on Tansey Green Road, Pensnett, has been extended to create roofspace accommodation.

Planners concluded the property exceeded minimum space regulations and provided enough parking space and there would be no adverse impact on highway safety.

Objectors also raised concerns about a possible rise in crime related to the HMO, in their response to the application West Midlands Police said: “West Midlands Police cannot comment on this application as there is no security plan apart from mentioning CCTV. 

“This a pretty crime free area and lack of security plans could potentially mean an increase in crime, there is no mention of the following, external security lighting, access control, boundary treatment.”

In their report for planners, council officers said: “Whilst the police’s concerns are acknowledged, the local planning authority cannot make any assumptions as to the character or quality of future occupiers and concerns regarding this would not be appropriate or sufficient reason to warrant refusal of the application in this instance.”