Plans to demolish empty Sandwell pub to make way for new shop rejected
A council has rejected plans to demolish an empty pub in Sandwell for a new shop.
The application by Sham Singh would have seen the former Crown Inn in Station Road, Old Hill, knocked down.
But the plans were thwarted by Sandwell Council which said it plans to eventually use the land for new housing or employment.
The empty pub would have been demolished and replaced with the single-storey 338 square metre shop and 10-space car park.
A report by the council’s planners rejecting the application said: “The development would […] undermine allocations for housing and employment land within the borough, resulting in the loss of much-needed available land for such uses, whereas there is no recognised need for additional retail provision in the area which is met by existing retail provision and proximity of the site to a retail centre.
“Insufficient information was submitted with the application to meet the required sequential and impact tests and it has not been adequately evidenced that the proposal could not be located in a centre or edge of centre site and that the development would not have a significant adverse impact on existing provision.”
Land in Station Road and Waterfall Lane had been earmarked by the council as a potential site for more than 190 homes in the future but with the land currently under a range of ownerships and with many looking to redevelop or unwilling to sell, no solid plans are expected for at least the next 15 years.
The land is expected to be included for employment use in the council’s updated development plans.
A statement included with the application said: “The proposed development provides new small-scale retail and commercial floorspace of direct benefit to the locality and on a site wholly appropriate for such a purpose which will both support the day-to-day needs of the proposed development [and] local community.
“The proposals will maximise the use of the brownfield site by bringing a longstanding vacant and derelict site into beneficial retail use.
“The existing building currently contributes poorly to its urban environment, is becoming an increasing eye sore in the local community and has been a location for vandalism.
“In its current condition the site has a negative impact on the townscape and appearance of the local area.
“The proposal will allow for nearby residents to access a retail facility by foot, which is not currently possible, as such reducing the local dependency on private car use.
