Empty Wolverhampton pub targeted by vandals and fly-tippers could re-open as desi bar and grill
An empty, vandal-plagued pub could re-open as a new Indian bar and grill and HMO under new plans.
The application to convert the former Royal Oak pub in New Street, Portobello, Wolverhampton into a new Indian mixed grill and house of multiple occupation (HMO) will go before the city council’s planning committee on Tuesday, September 9.
The pub, on the border of Wolverhampton and Willenhall, has been closed since 2022 and has attracted fly-tipping and vandalism while empty.
A report by the council’s planning officers has recommended the application by Kuldip Singh Bansal from Manchester-based Bye to Let Ltd should be approved.
The planning application had originally included a hand car wash but this was later scrapped.
A total of nine objections were received against the plan, with concerns raised about the now shelved hand car wash and the potential HMO. The objections said the former pub had attracted “graffiti, vermin and fly-tipping” and was an eyesore.
The applicant said the five-bed HMO was “essential” to “ensure the pub’s financial viability".
The applicant has already started the work to convert the first floor into an HMO and alter the ground floor without planning permission.
The applicant was warned the unauthorised work could lead to enforcement action from the council.
In the report, Councillor Louise Miles, who represents the East Park ward, said she shared the concerns of locals over the proposed HMO and questioned why the applicant would not be living above the re-opened pub. She had also raised concerns about the work that was started without planning permission.
Councillor Stephen Russell, who also represents the East Park ward, said the removal of the hand car wash ‘significantly improved’ the plans but he was concerned it had been removed in order to get the application approved and would be re-instated later on.
A report by the council’s planning officers, which recommends approving the application, said: “The proposals would bring the Royal Oak public house, a valued community facility and locally listed building, back into use after being vacant since 2022 and subject to antisocial behaviour,” the report said.
“The proposed single-storey extensions are modest and in keeping with the building’s character and surroundings.
“The conversion of the first floor flat into a five-person HMO would provide satisfactory living conditions and is unlikely to cause unacceptable impacts on neighbour amenity or contribute significantly to crime or anti-social behaviour.”
