Plans for new store finally get go-ahead

Plans for a new convenience store in a Black Country town have been given the go ahead, after proposals for a new Tesco store fell through.

Planning permission was granted for a Tesco Express store in Rowley Regis in December, but the land was put back up for sale following a lack of progress from Tesco. At a meeting of Sandwell Council's planning committee new owners The Premium Stores Ltd, based in Handsworth Wood, were given permission to redevelop the site of the Gate Inn pub.

The pub which stands on the corner of Oldbury Road and Throne Road will be redeveloped as a Costcutter store. The new applicant plans to covert the existing building to extend it and improve the frontage.

Extensions will be put into the side and back of the ground floor of the former pub, with work on the facade also approved.

Three letters of objection were submitted from the occupiers of Fairbourne Avenue.

These were objecting to the sale of alcohol from 6.30am to10.30pm and had concerns about the security of their homes.

The applicants said their their plans were virtually identical to those of Tesco and have taken heed of recommendations of officer over concerns about highways issues.

Officers from Sandwell planning committee agreed to allow the development, subject to a range of conditions.

Conditions demand the car park is laid out satisfactorily, details of waste disposal are provided and details of lighting are given.

The shop will only be open to the public between 7am and 11pm on any day.

And with the exception of morning newspapers no deliveries or collections will be made between 7am and 8pm.

Sandwell Council has also introduced a condition demanding radios and refrigeration units are switched off when deliveries are made, to minimise disruption to residents.

People living in Fairbourne Avenue were told that the control of alcohol sales were outside the scope of the planning committee.