Angry residents have hit out at a developer which has made a fresh bid to build more than a hundred homes on the site of a garage, which they claim will destroy valuable wildlife habitat and cause traffic chaos.

Chase Homes applied to demolish the All Electric Garage on Earlsway and build 136 flats last year but plans were thrown out after complaints from homeowners.

Now the firm has submitted a new application for 121 apartments, causing uproar amongst residents.

Alison Tyler Reilly, who lives on Dudley Road, which flats would back onto, said: "The developer is using tactics, submitting an application for 136 apartments, which it knows is going to cause uproar as it is too many, then it submits another application reducing the amount of homes by 15 to 121 and hopes it will go through.

"Roads in the area - Earls Way, Mucklow Hill, Dudley Road and Bromsgrove Road - are some of the busiest in Halesowen as it is, without adding to the conjestion.

Wildlife

"The plan will destroy trees and wildlife - I have Muntjac Deer in my garden - what will happen to these?

"Also mine and my neighbour's houses will be overlooked by numerous properties on the development, where as previously we have enjoyed a completely secluded back garden with no-one overlooking."

Belle Vale councillor Jennifer Dunn is backing residents.

She said: "I shall put the same objection in as I did last time.

"I think the main issue is traffic.

"It's a very busy road and this development would cause congestion at peak times.

"Trees will also go - and there's the question of whether it will affect the river - otters have been seen in there."

A spokesman for Chase Homes said: "In essence there are three separate blocks, the main block with partial underground parking, all of which is positioned on the footprint of the current car dealership premises.

"There are 121 apartments with parking for 129 cars predominantly underground.

"An ecological assesement has been carried out which has raised no issues."