PLANS to build more than 50 homes near a train station in Wyre Forest have been approved.

Wyre Forest Planning Committee has approved outline planning permission to build 52 homes on land near Blakedown Railway Station off Station Drive.

This comes after the committee deferred the application last time, they met for a site visit and an updated traffic survey.

The site, which is part of the Wyre Forest Local Plan, is currently accessed by a field gate on Station Drive but it’s proposed a new junction will be developed on Station Drive along with new footpaths.

Plans submitted by applicant Marmaris Investments Ltd show there will be a mixture of two storey homes, as well as an apartment block and affordable housing.

During the council meeting held on June 20, chair of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council, Sue Fowler said it was the largest and most significant development proposal for Blakedown of this century.

She said: “The new location of the access road on Station Drive is potentially hazardous, especially when mixed with turning vehicles, school run traffic, the level crossing, parked cars and pedestrians for all sizes, ages and mobilities.

“To make the access road the 100 plus year-old oak tree will have to be destroyed.

“We cannot see how that could be replaced.”

Originally the application sought permission for 57 homes but following discussions the proposal was reduced to a maximum of 52 homes.

The planning permission also includes land to be safeguarded for future car parking for the railway.

Nearly 50 people objected to the plans on the council's planning website, raising concerns over the scale of development in relation to the village, increases in congestion, and the impact on wildlife.

A planning manager from the council said: “Other matters such as scale, appearance, layout and landscaping are reserved for later consideration as part of a subsequent application.”