A PLAN to build 65 affordable homes next to a Brierley Hill chemical plant has been recommended for approval.

Dudley planners have supported Accord Housing's application, which will see 32 houses and 33 flats built on land next to Hammond Chemicals, on the junction of Dudley Road and Canal Street.

The application comes after a previous plan was thrown out in September last year, after councillors agreed that residents living in the new homes would be adversely affected by noise coming from the factory - a decision backed by an independent planning inspector when appealed.

Now, councillors on Dudley Council’s Development Control Committee are being asked to give the go-ahead after the developers said they would build a row of apartments to screen the homes from any noise nuisance.

But factory boss Shaun Hammond said this was "a totally reckless and risky idea", adding: "We store hundreds of tonnes of highly flammable solvents in our flammable goods warehouse and external compound that will be within seven to eight metres of the proposed apartment block."

In a formal objection to the plan, Mr Hammond said the firm had operated at the site for more than 45 years.

He added: “We remain very concerned that this revised application for 65 dwellings immediately next to our site on Canal Street will lead to new conflict and negative impacts for us.

“This is likely to occur between us and the new residents, the local authority, and our own stakeholders.

“The noise generated by our activity is normal and acceptable for an industrial location – but unlikely to be acceptable to residential occupiers within close proximity.”

Members of the Development Control Committee will decide if the scheme will go ahead at a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, June 19).