Express & Star

Homes to be built on pub car park

A Walsall pub will have new neighbours after plans to build two houses on its car park were given the green light.

Published
Shire Oak Inn

Punch Taverns proposal to create the four-bedroom properties at Shire Oak Inn on Lichfield Road, were approved by Walsall Council’s planning committee.

Bosses said the land was under-utilised and the remaining 37 spaces for patrons would be enough for the pub to operate as normal without any negative impact.

They also said that the current licensee was fully supportive of the scheme and no other objections had been raised.

The two houses will be allocated three parking spaces each and, while some committee members raised questions over vehicle access on and off the site, highways said they were satisfied the plan was sufficient.

Jake Russell, from Punch Taverns, said: “Punch own and operate the Shire Oak and will continue to do so following the development.

“All of the consultees are supportive of the proposals. One of the local residents objected but Punch would like to stress that we are using an existing access on to the site and the local highways authority is supportive of this.

“The development represents the revitalisation of under-used piece of brownfield land that the Shire Oak no longer has use for. It will retain ample parking.

“The provision of two family homes, which have been designed to be sympathetic with the surrounding properties, will improve the appearance of this unattractive piece of land and the existing street scene and add to the housing supply.”

The house plots will be separated from the rest of the pub’s car parking spaces.