Plans to demolish social club for housing rejected

Proposals to pull down Birchills Liberal Club and build a three-storey residential block were lodged with Walsall Council.

But the scheme in Old Birchills, which would have also seen a caretaker's office removed, has been turned down under delegated officer powers.

The application was for 35 two-bedroom flats and 13 one-bed flats as part of regeneration in the area.

The proposal put forward by agent Ged Connor said it was a struggling working men's club and it would fit in with the surrounding area.

But planners at the council raised concerns about the loss of land for community use, the lack of evidence to demonstrate land stability because of former mine workings and with it being out of character.

Head of planning David Elsworthy said: "There is a lack of evidence to justify the loss of the club premises as a community facility or to demonstrate that there are other existing facilities, in an equally or more convenient location, which could accommodate any community activities displaced by the proposed development.

"The proposed layout of the site and design of the building do not reflect the character of the surrounding area and would be obstructive and over-dominant in the street scene, overbearing to the adjacent canal and open space.

"Furthermore the access and parking layout are obtrusive, there is unsatisfactory disabled parking provision and the proposals do not take into account the planned highway improvements on Old Birchills.

"For these reasons the proposals are detrimental to the character of the area, to visual and residential amenities and to highway safety.

"The applicant has failed to demonstrate the proposed development would not have an adverse impact on trees or local ecology due to the lack of an arboricultural survey or ecological survey. The applicant has failed to demonstrate how the proposed development would secure appropriate provision for affordable housing."

The application in support of the plans had stated: "The site is currently Birchills Liberal Club, a struggling working man's club and adjoining 70s era two-storey house, set within a large, unkempt plot. The proposals utilise the application site for residential use and are in keeping with the predominantly residential surrounding area.

"The area to the west of the site is predominantly residential in nature with a number of local shops and public houses."