350 people sign petition in favour of supermarket which opened without permission - here is Walsall Council's response
A specialist supermarket which opened without planning permission has been told it can stay after more than 350 people signed a petition in support of the scheme.
The G & G supermarket opened without planning permission at the former Daner hosiery works in Willenhall in October last year.
Owner Ranjit Singh sought was denied planning permission the following month after submitting a retrospective planning application.
Walsall Council said Mr Singh had failed to provide sufficient evidence that the plans provided sufficient parking, and would comply with highways policy.
But a fresh application, with a more detailed transport plan has now been approved after more than 350 people signed a petition in support of the scheme.
The petition was signed by a residents, customers, and worshippers at a nearby Sikh temple.
It said that the supermarket sold south Asian foods, fruit and drink, meeting the needs of people living in the vicinity and those attending the neighbouring Guru Nanak Gurdwara.
"We need more competition and choice," the petition said.
Head of planning Michael Brereton said the shop could stay providing it complied with conditions relating to parking and access, and opening hours were restricted to 8am-10.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am--10pm on Sundays.
The decision comes just weeks after Walsall Council told another supermarket, which opened at the Thatched House Tavern in Elmore Green Road, Bloxwich, that it could stay, eight years after opening without permission.
