DEVELOPERS hoping to turn a derelict Stourbridge school site into a new housing estate intend to submit a revised plan within the next few weeks.

Persimmon Homes have drawn up new proposals to build 52 homes on the old Longlands School site off Brook Street in the Old Quarter after a plan to build 59 properties on the site, now owned by Birmingham Metropolitan College, was thrown out by Dudley's planning committee in January this year.

The developers unveiled their revised scheme at a public consultation at St James’ Church Hall in Wollaston, last Wednesday (April 17) and Stephen Cleveley, director-in-charge for Persimmon Homes West Midlands, said: “We are keen to engage with the local community on our scheme for the Longlands.

"Therefore, we staged a public consultation event to give people the opportunity to see for themselves the benefits that the development will bring to the local area.

“We listened to the comments made when our previous application was refused and have therefore reduced the number of units from 59 to 52, of which 25 per cent will be allocated as affordable homes.

"The revised plans also address issues surrounding the character of the site as we have enhanced our development layout and house type elevations.

“We are due to submit the revised plans over the next few weeks in the hope that they will be considered this summer."

The revised scheme, which has an arts and crafts style character, includes six shared ownership properties and seven affordable rental properties - and 39 two, three and four-bedroom homes which would go on the open market.

Access would be off the Bowling Green Road side of the site, while the original Brook Street entrance would provide emergency access for fire or ambulance vehicles if needed.

People can give their thoughts on the new plan by emailing wmidconsultation@persimmonhomes.com by Friday April 26, or people can write to Longlands Public Consultation, Persimmon Homes West Midlands, Venture Court, Broadlands, Wolverhampton WV10 6TB.

Meanwhile - Persimmon Homes has submitted an appeal regarding its original scheme for 59 homes to the Planning Inspectorate which is due to be heard later this year.