Appeal to turn over decision on Brierley Hill MOT centre rejected
A bid to overturn Dudley Council’s decision to refuse permission for development of an MOT centre in Brierley Hill has failed.
The site, at ABC Hand Car wash on Stourbridge Road, was the subject of an application in May 2025 to build a single storey structure for use as a testing station in the grounds of the existing car wash.
Council planners rejected the application amid concerns about traffic safety and parking because the site only had three dedicated spaces.
A report on the application by council officers said: “The site boundary is limited, and it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the parking demands associated with the combined uses can be safely accommodated within the site.
“Furthermore, it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that vehicles can safely access and manoeuvre within the site which raises significant highway safety concerns in this location.”
The applicant appealed to the Planning Inspectorate who found the building had already been constructed and the proposal was partly retrospective.
Inspector Gary Deane said: “I share the council’s concern that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the level of on-site parking would be sufficient to meet demand.
“If all the parking spaces within the site were fully occupied, it is likely that drivers would park their vehicle as close to the site for ease and convenience.
“There is, therefore, considerable potential for overspill parking on the adjacent footway that would cause an obvious and significant obstruction to pedestrians.”
Mr Deane dismissed the appellant’s plan to stagger MOT appointments to ease parking congestion on the site.
He concluded there was no evidence to demonstrate staggered timings would prevent overcrowding and cars spilling over to park on the pavement.
He also did not accept the appellant’s suggestion that temporary bollards would be effective in deterring people from parking on the pavement.
In rejecting the appeal, Mr Deane said: “ I conclude that the proposed development fails to demonstrate that it would operate safely in terms of parking provision, circulation and access.
“There would be an unacceptable risk to pedestrians from overspill parking on the adjacent footway, to the detriment of highway safety.”
