Plans to convert former legion club in Smethwick into new nursery approved
A former British Legion club in Smethwick will be converted into a nursery.
Family Adventures Group has received permission from Sandwell Council to convert the empty former British Legion club in Londonderry Lane, Smethwick, into a nursery for up to 80 children.
A scheme to convert the club into a school for 50 children was rejected by Sandwell Council in 2019 over parking and congestion concerns.
A total of 19 parking spaces have been included in the approved plan.
The former club’s bar and function room would be converted into separate baby and toddler and pre-school spaces and part of the old car park would be transformed into a new garden, according to the plans.
The club closed in 2014 and was then converted into another club called The Local in 2021 but that had also closed by January 2024.
The site has also been used by care provider Delivering Care Direct as well as for overflow parking by the neighbouring Ash Lodge care home.
A move to convert the building into a school for 50 pupils aged between 14 and 18 years old was rejected by Sandwell Council in 2019.
The authority’s planners said the school should be in a “more appropriate and sustainable” location and would not provide enough parking spaces or a drop-off area.
The council said it was concerned the new school would exacerbate congestion and parking problems in Londonderry Lane and had included a number of parking spaces that were not within the boundary of the application.
A statement included with the latest plan said: “The proposals involve conversion of the existing buildings from a former social club to children’s day nursery, along with provision of an outdoor play area and cycle parking.
“The nursery would accommodate up to 80 children and up to 20 members of staff.
“The site is currently vacant and the proposals represent an efficient use of previously developed land.
“The scheme will provide much needed new, high-quality childcare facilities to serve the neighbouring residential areas and the wider community, whilst also providing new employment opportunities in the local area.
“The proposals have taken into account neighbouring residential uses to ensure that existing levels of amenity are maintained and it is anticipated that there will be an improvement to the site when compared to its former use.”
