Plan to extend West Bromwich shop for new flats draws criticism over height
Two storeys could be added to a shop to make way for new flats – but the plan’s have already been called ‘excessive’ by a council who fear neighbour’s sunlight could be blocked.
The work to the former Hateley Heath Post Office and McColl’s convenience store in Jowetts Lane, West Bromwich, would see the building’s first floor extended and a second storey added to make way for seven new flats.
A first floor extension for a ‘storage room’ was approved by Sandwell Council in November last year.
However, officers at Sandwell Council have already had their say with the plans criticised for its height – saying the extra two storeys were “excessive” and “wholly out of character.”
The local authority’s highways officers have already submitted an objection saying the flats would need at least eight parking spaces and none would be provided under the proposals.
Parking issues in Jowetts Lane and neighbouring roads had been raised as an ongoing problem when the empty shop last went before planners in November 2024.
Council officers also feared the height of the blocking would block neighbours’ sunlight.
Demolition work to re-open the Jowetts Lane shop had finally been approved by the local authority nearly 18 months after it had already been carried out.
Sandwell Council’s planning committee approved a ‘retrospective’ application last November for the demolition job which had already started in March 2023 – work that attracted the attention of enforcement officers at the council following a complaint.
The council stepped in and told UK Wide Real Estate that the extent of the work first required planning permission which put a halt to the work leaving the makeover half-finished.
The work included the replacement of a boundary wall in Lynton Avenue, the demolition of a rear external wall, a single-storey rear extension and a taller roof.
A decision had been deferred twice by councillors with a site visit finally taking place. A decision was further delayed when it was discovered on the site visit in January that the drawings in the application did not match what had been built so far.
This led to a longer delay while the plans were redrawn.
Before the work began, the ‘patchwork’ building, which was a former shop and post office and two-bed flat, was made up of various materials including metal gates, corrugated iron, bricks, breeze blocks and barbed wire as well as extensions of differing heights with contrasting roofs.
At the time, planning committee chair Cllr Kay Millar, who is also the ward councillor for Hateley Heath, said there had been constant complaints about parking in the area – and it had been a problem before the plans to re-open the shop were revealed.
Sandwell Council had promised to investigate parking problems in the area following dozens of complaints over several years.
“I think the general fear is that this particular development will add to [the problems]… I feel as though residents are really reluctant to give the go-ahead for more of the same. That’s the feeling I’ve had,” Cllr Millar said.
The council’s highways officer said the slight increase in floorspace would not cause any “severe” problems and the surrounding roads had not previously been highlighted as a problem area.
The council said there were a number of businesses along the road and it was difficult to single out one as the root of the problem – but it would still look into parking problems and ‘enforce where necessary.’
In a report published ahead of the meeting, Sandwell Council said it “noted” the concerns of residents that parking was congested in Lynton Avenue.
“However, double yellow lines are evident at the junction at Jowetts Lane which should prohibit parking where it is deemed unsafe,” the council added. “This can be monitored by parking attendants if abused.
“Furthermore, given the moderate size in floor arear to the original retail premises, it would not warrant additional off-road parking provision to serve it and no objections have been raised in this regard by the highway service.”
The council said raising the existing roof and creating one single roof would remove the ‘patchwork’ roof and improve the appearance of the street.
