NEW jobs will be created at a Halesowen firm after its application for a new warehouse was given the thumbs up.

Hayley Fastners will demolish six small buildings on its site on Shelah Road and will build a large warehouse.

The proposed development will increase the number of employees from an existing 279 up to 310, notes by council planners state.

The planning application was approved despite 12 objections from neighbours with concerns including loss of privacy and light, inadequate on-site parking, loss of trees and woodland and devaluing properties.

One objector said: "Our home was purchased due to the greenery at the rear and that it was not overlooking other homes or buildings."

Halesowen News: How the site looks at the moment How the site looks at the moment (Image: Google satellite)

Three letters of support were submitted stating that the development would improve the appearance of the area and support the local economy.

Planners at Dudley Council said the development would "utilise and repurpose land and buildings to support the function of the established business, to provide additional warehousing provision" and would "provide additional employment opportunities."

The sprawling warehouse will be 109metres wide, 35metres deep and between 12 and 14metres high.

Halesowen News: The firm employs 279 people The firm employs 279 people (Image: Google)

The firm, which is one of the largest employers in Halesowen, supplies engineering components, bearings, seals, lubricants, pumps tools and fastenings. It was established in 1976 and has 50 branches over the UK with more than 1,000 employees.

A design and access statement says neighbouring homes would be more than 29m away from the new warehouse at their nearest point.

It states: "Although the proposed development would result in the loss of part of the established green wedge, the scheme has been amended following Officer advice, including that of the Council’s Tree Officer, to vary the rear car parking area.

"This has been done, not only to ensure the protection of established protected trees, but also to allow for an improved replacement tree planting/landscaping scheme to compensate and improve the ecological merits of the development."

It states 20 existing trees will be kept and 22 new trees will be planted "increasing the width of an enhanced and retained woodland buffer."