PLANS to transform a historic former Halesowen colliery site into an industrial park have been thrown out by planners after scores of objections.
The site of New Hawne Colliery, on Hayseech Road, contains three listed buildings of "national historical importance" which would have been restored as part of the proposed development.
But planners at Dudley Council said the scheme would spoil views from the site and would result in the removal of part of the Hawne Colliery Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) as well as established woodland.
The colliery opened in 1863 and closed in 1926.
It was then used as an open cast mine before becoming a council storage depot until the mid to later part of the last century.
There are two parts of the site - the Upper Plateau - close to the junction between Hayseech Road and Hawne Lane and the Lower Plateau (northern parcel) opposite the junction with Hayseech Road and Shelah Road.
On the Upper Plateau there are the three dilapidated heritage buildings - the Office building, Fan House and Engine House - which the developer says would have been brought back to life and "preserved for future generations."
The Office Building would have been turned into five offices, the Fan House would have been retained as a focal point and the Engine House would have been converted into an office or gym.
Two new warehouses would have been built, each housing three new commercial units.
Sixty car parking spaces would have been created.
On the lower plateau 12 new warehouse units would have been built in five buildings. There would have been 51 car parking spaces.
An all inclusive tree preservation order (TPO) covers the whole of the two sites.
A design and access statement on behalf of the applicant Marlie Civils states: "The three listed buildings present are in an active state of degradation and are in desperate need of refurbishment.
"The colliery land has remained largely abandoned and untouched since its closure, allowing for trees and nature to take over the site."
Eighteen letters of objection were received from neighbours and Hales Owen Abbey Trust, the Dudley Local Access Forum, Councillors Simon Phipps, Ian Bevan and Peter Dobb with concerns centring around the loss of trees and wildlife, potential increase in flooding Hawne Lane and Hayseech Road both being very narrow and are not suitable for commercial vehicles and the existing junction between Hayseech Road and Hawne Lane already being a dangerous junction with limited visibility along Hawne Lane.
Complaints also said are already industrial estates nearby which are unoccupied. Planners said: "The development would fail to protect the character, quality, historic integrity and significance of a non-designated landscape heritage area and will negatively impact and prejudice views into, from and within it.
"The proposal would also result in the removal of a significant area (c.12%) of the Hawne Colliery Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
"This site is also located within Dudley's Green Network and its loss, including the SINC area and established woodland, has not been justified."
The application was refused on November 22
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here