Plans to amend design of shops plan for Dudley pub are turned down by planners

Developer 90 Squared was given permission last year to extend the Spills Meadow pub in Upper Gornal and convert it into two shop units with flats above.

But the company has been told revised plans, which include a new design for the shop front and an external fire escape, will not be allowed unless the company submits a new application in full.

Sign up to our free newsletter today

The developer had already been granted permission to alter the opening hours, which will now see the shops open at 6am rather than 7am as originally specified.

Head of planning Carl Mellor said the proposed revisions effectively amounted to an enlargement of the development.

The scheme, in Kent Street, has been the subject to a lengthy planning process, with objections to both the scale of the scheme and concerns about graves beneath the site.  

The developer originally wanted to create three shop units on the site, covering a floorspace of 6,200 sq ft. Three first-floor flats were also proposed, along with parking for 21 cars.

But following talks with the council the developer agreed to reduce the number of retail units to two, covering 5,170 sq ft.

One resident had voiced concerns that a small area of land, enclosed by a brick wall, was a burial crypt belonging to the former Kent Street Methodist Church, which was demolished in 1971. He said the plans might contravene the burial act.

The developer revised the plans to remove proposed electric vehicle charging points from the crypt wall.

A second objector also expressed concerns about the burial site.

Mike Carr, speaking for the developer, said the pub closed in June 2022, when it was put up for sale by Christie & Co. He said just three offers were made for the building, all of them for retail use.

"None of the local and regional pub companies showed any interest, or see a way to make the pub profitable again, given the demographic locally has massively changed and the local pub is no longer a focal point in this location," said Mr Carr.

Pub operator Marston’s sold the building with vacant possession to 90 Squared in August 2023.

"The applicants then asked the previous landlady to keep the pub functioning ­– whilst losing money – so as to ensure site and building security," Mr Carr said.