Delayed decision on whether Great Barr flats can stay after doctor's surgery demolished without permission

Sandwell Council approved plans to convert the empty former doctor’s surgery in Newton Road, Great Barr, into eight new flats in 2024.

The planning application included building a number of two-storey extensions – adding balconies, and carrying out a loft conversion, to make way for the flats.

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However, when work finally began in June, the building was eventually demolished after it was deemed unsafe by a structural engineer, but without permission from the council.

The developer was told the unauthorised demolition of the building meant the planning permission for the eight flats had been cancelled in August, which resulted in the submission of the new application.

Sandwell Council’s planning committee met on January 7 to decide whether the eight unauthorised flats could stay, but delayed a decision to allow for councillors to visit the site.

At the planning meeting, Councillor Connor Horton, who represents the Great Barr with Yew Tree ward, said Pages Lane was extremely busy, and a “severe rat run”, and he was “very confident that there would not be enough parking.”

He said previous parking problems had existed when the doctor’s surgery was open, which had led to its relocation.

He called on the committee to visit the site before making a final decision, which was agreed when put to a vote.

A report from the local authority’s planning officers recommends that the work should be approved.

Ten objections were made against the plan during public consultation.

The plan was criticised by objectors over the potential for the flats to add to parking problems, while also calling them “out of character” and the site “overdeveloped.”

The council’s planning officer said: “The previous use as a doctors’ surgery would have generated significantly higher daily traffic movements, with multiple patient visits throughout the day, in addition to staff, deliveries and healthcare-related transport.

“Aside from the feature gable projections, the footprint of the proposed building is essentially identical to the previous doctors’ surgery.

“Pages Lane and the surrounding area contain a variety of residential building types, which include large, detached houses and flats. Nearby examples include Pages Court and the flats opposite the application site on Meadowside Close.

“Materials proposed also complement the surrounding area.

“In my opinion, the development would significantly improve this prominent corner frontage from the dated previous doctor’s surgery that had limited architectural merit.”

A statement included with the latest application said: “It is important to note that every reasonable and practicable effort was made to implement the permission in accordance with the approved drawings and methodologies.

“However, due to a series of interrelated structural deficiencies and safety concerns that arose during the course of the initial works, full demolition of the existing building became necessary.

“As a result, the development is no longer capable of being implemented in accordance with the approved permission, and said permission is therefore considered null and void.”

The former doctor’s surgery has been empty since the private healthcare company Summerfield Heath went into administration in 2023.