Express & Star

Protests against plans to close Walsall pub in place of new shop

A pub in Walsall is set to close and be converted into a shop despite strong protests from the community.

Published
The New Inn in Blakenall Lane

Walsall Council’s planning committee will meet next week and members have been recommended to approve the proposal, by applicant Pal Singh, for the New Inn in Blakenall Lane, which will see it become a retail store with living quarters on the first floor.

But a petition carrying 381 signatures has been drawn up and submitted against the plan while Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes has also voiced his objection to the development.

They have raised a string of concerns which include the loss of the pub they see as a community asset, the number of shops already in the vicinity and the potential impact on their trade, possible traffic issues and fears that a new store would result in an increase in anti-social behaviour.

But planning officers said the pub is not listed as an asset of community value and there was another venue nearby.

West Midlands Police and community safety officers also raised no objection but have recommended security measures are implemented to guard against any potential crime in the future.

In a report to committee, planning officer Devinder Matharu said: “Whilst an objector has demonstrated how they consider the pub offers an important community facility, the types of benefits described such as meeting place for the elderly and vulnerable and provision of hot meals could be provided elsewhere in the local centre and it is considered that the retail shop also offers opportunities for the community to meet and interact, albeit in a different way.

“Also despite the fact the proposal would result in the loss of the public house there is an alternative pub (Kings Head) approximately 190m away from the site and in terms of community provision there are other shops and facilities in the local centre and Blakenall Community Centre is just over 100m away.

“The pub is not listed as an Asset of Community Value so there is no reason to withhold determination of the proposals.”