DOZENS of new homes could be built on a canal side Brierley Hill business park near to an historic former brickworks.

Dudley planners have given outline permission for the proposed development at Waterside Business Park, off Brettell Lane, but they were not happy with the original layout for 61 homes.

A total of 37 conditions will have to be met by the applicant, including providing details of the siting, design and appearance of the buildings and landscaping of the area, before a detailed go-ahead could be given.

The site is part of the land of the former Harris & Pearson brickworks, where the office – built in 1888 – is Grade II listed for its historic value.

It is also next to the Grade II listed Old Crown Inn, the Stourbridge No 1 canal and the Worcester to Wolverhampton railway.

Alvin Lindley, of Clearwater Properties, based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, submitted the application, which said there were long periods in between lettings of the existing business accommodation on the site.

There was also good availability of other local premises into which tenants remaining could move.

A report to Dudley Development Control Committee said the site layout plan originally submitted was "wholly unsatisfactory", partly because the rear gardens of the homes would lead on to the canal, whereas the council officers say the frontages should face the open space and canal.

No objections were received to the principle of building homes there, although the housing developers of a site on the opposite side of the canal expressed concerns about access and the design and layout.