Plans for ‘mini’ service station next to M5 in West Bromwich approved
Plans have been approved to build a new ‘mini service station’ next to the M5 in West Bromwich.
The new units and electric vehicle charging points would be built next to the Kaizen, formerly Intersection House, adjacent to the M5 in West Bromwich.
The plans include four new commercial units with three measuring 1,200 square feet and another larger unit measuring around 4,000 square feet.
The applicant Beyond I-Land requested the units are class E which includes shops, restaurants, bars, offices and gyms and other commercial buildings.
A 32-space car park has also been included.
Sandwell Council’s planners said they would have preferred to see the units built in West Bromwich High Street, Astle Retail Park or the town’s New Square shopping centre – in a bid to protect the town centre’s viability – but those locations were later ruled out as unsuitable by the applicant.
A report by Sandwell Council outlining the approval said: “The principle of development contradicts policies in [council planning documents] as well as [the] vision and objectives in the West Bromwich masterplan.
“The proposed units […] and associated works conflict with [policies] relating to controlling out-of- centre development.
“However, the electric vehicle (EV) chargers element is a key consideration.
“Whilst out of town centres are discouraged, the [planner’s] opinion is that the out of centre provides a much needed “mini service” station allowing rapid charging facilities on site that aids providing additional electric vehicle charging points along the highway network, and in particular, close proximity to the M5 as more and more high-speed, rapid-charging points will be required.”
A previous plan for a drive-thru on the land has also been scrapped.
The landmark 10-storey office block in Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, was sold to Beyond Property Group in a multi-million-pound deal in 2021, having sat empty for 18 months, and later converted into nearly 100 new flats.
Earlier plans for the former car park had included 38 new flats, shops, a drive-thru and electric vehicle charging points.
A statement included with the application said: “The proposed development addresses the demand for modern spaces to support local businesses, improve access to services, and strengthen the economy of West Bromwich.
“The brownfield site was last used as an overspill car park which has been redundant since 2017.
“The site benefits from excellent vehicular connectivity, situated just off the M5/West Bromwich interchange.”
