RESIDENTS opposed to the building of major industrial development in Pensnett are launching a last ditch attempt to prevent it being built.

The application for a business park on land off Dreadnought Road – owned by Hinton, Perry & Davenhill Ltd  – is set for final approval after winning the backing of Dudley council planning officers.

But opponents of the scheme are hoping councillors will heed their fears over road safety and refuse planning permission when the borough’s development committee meets next week.

They are being backed by Cllr Judy Foster who says the 10 metre high building will destroy residents’ privacy while a new access road will add to road safety fears. 

The decision on whether to grant permission is the final hurdle in a campaign which prevented the scheme being approved in May last year after a hundred objections were received.

But a new application was passed only three months later after the company submitted a traffic survey.

Since then the council has also given the go ahead for a new access road onto the site from Dreadnought Road. 

Residents have said the street already suffers from speeding cars and the development will increase traffic and the risk of accidents.

But in their report to the committee asking approval for the layout and design of the building, planning officers have said objectors’ fears were dealt with when the council granted planning permission.

In addition, they add a row of conifers trees opposite neighbouring homes will shield residents’ view of the site. 

Councillors will make their decision on January 13.