Escape room plan for Darlaston industrial unit fails for second time

Applicant Carys Deegan wanted to develop the game world in disused space within a unit, rented by her partner, at Darlaston Central Trading Estate, in Salisbury Street.

But the proposal has been rejected by Walsall Council planning officers for several reasons including a lack of information on why the unit couldn’t continue as its current industrial employment use facility.

They also said the applicants had not proved there were no other suitable sites or where staff and customers would park.

Local authority officers had previously turned down the application for an escape room venue in the premises in February 2021.

When this second application was submitted, Ms Deegan said the venture would make use of redundant space and they’d started making safety improvements to make sure it complied with national guidelines.

Escape rooms have become increasingly popular over the last few years and see contestants take part in fast-paced activities to work out how to get out of the scenario they are in.

As well as an escape room, there would be a room that could be booked out for special occasions or for people to play games such as Warhammer.

Agents L&P Property Consultants said the unit is now mostly empty and the escape room would provide new jobs and greater security for neighbouring businesses – who have raised no objections.

Members of the public and elected members in the ward have also not voiced any opposition to the proposal.

They also said press coverage on the proposed facility had not resulted in negative reaction but instead greater interest from people wishing to use the escape room.

They said: “Unsurprisingly the neighbours are all in support of the application, which provides benefits to them as greater security outside the core opening hours of the SMEs on the estate.

“It has been demonstrated in our opinion, that the proposal would not prejudice adjoining uses.

“The escape room would have its peak use times outside of normal business hours, and therefore would not impact significantly on surrounding businesses.

“The proposal would result in a greater level of employment on the site. In comparison, the existing unit has only provided employment for a maximum of one person for the last few years, if that, as mainly empty.

“There is an unadopted service road, with communal parking facilities available in close proximity to the unit.

“Further to this, the proposed hours of operation and peak times associated with this use will likely fall outside of the peak times of the adjacent businesses, ensuring there will be plenty of available space within the communal parking areas.”