THIS is the first glimpse of how a new development earmarked for the edge of Pensnett could look.

RPS Planning and Development are preparing plans on behalf of London and Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP) for up to 400 stylish new homes to be built on land next to Tansey Green Road and Oak Lane in Pensnett.

The new housing estate would provide a range of homes for the whole community with an element of affordable housing and a significant amount of ‘aspirational housing’ for higher income buyers to help keep families and affluent households in the borough.

A consultation day for people to find out more about the scheme was held on February 12.

And Tim Watton, an associate at RPS based in Birmingham, says initial reactions were positive.

He said: “We have had a good response, over 80 people turned up throughout the day and we’ve had some very positive comments about the whole thing.

“We’re really keen to have people’s views on it before we make the application.”

Brockmoor and Pensnett councillors Karen Jordan and Judy Foster, however, fear the scheme will create even more traffic chaos in an area that’s already heavily congested.

Cllr Jordan said: “The current road infrastructure would not take a development of that size. Tansey Green Road, High Oak and Dreadnought Road can’t take anymore.

“We have been trying to get the council to improve congestion in that area for some time and they haven’t come up with any good ideas, so I will object to the scheme.”

Cllr Jordan is also angry that details of the development have only emerged after the closure of a consultation over the siting of a new super school for Crestwood and Pensnett High School children.

RPS say the scheme has been years in the making and Mr Watton added: “As part of the planning process we have to have pre-applicant discussions and we have been having these.”

Dudley Council says the issue was not part of the Pensnett/Crestwood Academy consultation because no planning application has yet been received.

Once RPS has collated views on the scheme, an official plan will be submitted in the spring or summer.

Anyone who missed the consultation day can view the plan online at www.lcp-properties.co.uk/consultation - and comments can be emailed to Alastair Thornton at alastair.thornton@rpsgroup.com