COUNCILLORS have given their approval to 70 new homes in Netherton.

Members of the Development Control Committee unanimously agreed outline plans for the former Kuehne and Nagel UK factory units on Saltwells Road to be demolished and replaced with the residential properties.

The existing storage and distribution units will be razed to make way for a majority of one, two and three bedroom houses, with a limited number of four and five bedroom homes.

Councillor Colin Wilson, said: “Sadly our industrial life in the area is going. A good alternative for this site is housing and I support that.”

However members did criticise the amount of affordable housing being offered by developers, with just 10 per cent of the site set to be earmarked.

Members agreed the application with the condition a bat survey be carried out before demolition takes place due to the close proximity of the site to Saltwells Nature Reserve, where bat activity is prominent.

The application also seeks to widen the junction of Saltwells Lane with Saltwells Road, including new road markings and an anti-skid surface, with access set to be considered at a later date.