PLANNERS have said yes to demolishing a semi-detached house on a Stourbridge estate which has been suffering from subsidence problems.

Neighbours had raised fears with planners that piling work for the foundations of the new home could cause vibrations and damage to their properties.

But planners have put strict conditions on the developers to reduce subsidence and contamination risks.

The plan is to knock down the existing house at 46 Dene Avenue, Kingswinford, and replace it with a detached four-bedroomed home.

The house was built on the site of an old sand quarry and within the local landfill boundary.

Neighbours were particularly worried about hammer piling and that if approved the work should be done quickly.

Two very similar applications have been approved in the past and Dudley Council’s planners have now approved the proposal, but with conditions.

They point out that any damage to other properties during work is the responsibility of the developers, but have also made it a condition that the developers provide detailed plans for approval of how they plan to make the site stable and what piling and building work they propose, plus a contamination report.

They also want changes to parking and access arrangements and to ensure the footpath alongside is safeguarded.

The approval lasts for three years. If building work goes ahead it would only be allowed 7am to 6pm on weekdays, 8am to 5pm Saturdays, and banned on Sundays and public holidays.