DUDLEY Council is being accused of allowing builders to ignore planning rules in a row over new homes in Netherton.

The dispute centres around eight new houses in Crabourne Road which residents say were built with four bedrooms when permission was only given for three.

Local people were then further outraged when the authority appeared to buy the houses, which were on the market as ‘luxury homes’, for council housing.

In the latest twist in the saga amendments to planning conditions on the properties were approved on July 15 by the council. 

In a letter of objection to the latest application, a resident of Crabourne Road said: “Time and time again planning permission has been breached with no explanation and no communication from the council answering our questions. 

“A full investigation should be carried out as legally this is not acceptable.”

Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: “Planning consent was originally given to the developer to build eight three-bedroom homes on this site.

“The developer recently submitted an amendment to those plans, which is not uncommon, and those amendments were approved. 

“The amended plan states the homes will still have three bedrooms.

“As with all planning applications, it is the developer’s responsibility to ensure they comply with the plans and conditions that have been approved. 

“The council has discharged most of the conditions and no enforcement complaint has been raised for this development.”

The controversial houses were built on the site of the old Bunch of Bluebells pub.

The council would not reveal the purchase price when the deal came to light in February 2024 but the houses had previously been advertised with price tags of up to £315,000.

Residents say the buildings were not constructed in line with the original application because the properties were built with four bedrooms not three, the roof tiles and front doors do not match those specified, bay windows were not created as per the original designs and parking provision does not match the requirement for four-bedroom properties.

Cllr Bradley added: “The council’s housing team remains interested in the purchase of these properties to expand the number of family homes within our housing stock. 

“We have had conversations with the developer, but we have not acquired the homes at this stage as work is still ongoing.”