Plan seeks to create new flats above former Sowerbys Shoes shop in Stourbridge

A planning application has been lodged with Dudley Council planners seeking permission to convert 30 Lower High Street, Stourbridge, to create a new retail unit with accommodation on the first and second floor.

The proposal comes just days after the long-running shop closed its doors for good on Saturday May 31.

A design and access statement submitted with the plan says: "The proposal would maximise the potential of vacant storage space in a sustainable location and create a safe and accessible residential environment for future occupants.

"It says the plan would retain a retail unit on the ground floor, creating two one-bedroom flats on the first floor and a further one-bedroom flat on the second floor.

The statement, which can be viewed on Dudley Council's planning portal, adds: "The existing façade to Lower High Street would be retained, but for a minor alteration to the shopfront to create the new residents’ entrance. 

"The ground floor retail unit is of scale and nature that reflect the character of the street and will maintain a retail frontage.

"New residential accommodation on the upper floors will serve to activate and enliven the street scape and create high levels of passive surveillance over the public realm.

"The conversion would ensure that the property will benefit from regular maintenance and cleaning.

"No changes are proposed to the scale of the building."

The plans do not include parking provision with the property but the application says: "The site is highly accessible on foot, cycle and by public transport, commensurate with its location, and is shown to be highly sustainable in respect of access to a wide range of facilities by non-car travel modes."

Cycle storage will be provided to encourage the use of bicycles by residents.

Sowerbys Shoes, which has been in existence for 100 years, continues trading online.