Campaigners dealt blow in battle to save Sedgley pub from supermarket plans
Campaigners fighting to save a popular Sedgley pub from being turned into a supermarket have been dealt a blow after council planners backed the proposals.
More than 100 letters of objection have been lodged against the plans for the Seven Stars in Gospel End Road.
But planning officers at Dudley Council are recommending councillors approve a change of use for the building at a meeting next week.
When the scheme was first revealed to in August, it sparked outrage in the community and within two weeks a campaign group gathered more than 1,500 signatures on a petition.
More than 400 people also joined the Save the Seven Stars group on Facebook.
Residents say they are concerned about losing a pub that is still popular within the community and the effect a new supermarket would have on local businesses.
But planning officers say the change of use is suitable for the building and it will lead to the creation of new jobs. Six letters of support for the scheme, put forward by pub owner Marston's, have been sent to the council.
A report by planning officer Faisal Agha said: "The proposed development is of a suitable scale and nature relative to this location and will serve the needs of the local community for day-to-day convenience goods.
"Information submitted by the applicant demonstrates that there are no more suitable sites in terms of availability, viability and location other than the application site that could come forward for this type of development.
"The development would not have any adverse impacts on the vitality and viability of Sedgley centre and will also create employment opportunities within the local area."
Councillors will discuss the application at a meeting on Monday.
Dudley North MP Ian Austin said: "Pubs like the Seven Stars are at the heart of the local community in Dudley, and I don't want it turned into a supermarket.
"It is a popular and profitable pub and thanks to help from local campaigners it is currently protected as an Asset of Community Value.
"I'll be trying to help them in the coming months to get these plans stopped completely."
It comes after a motion was carried at a council meeting earlier this month which said the value of the pub to the community should be considered under planning laws, but this is to yet take effect.
The pub has undergone a series of refurbishments in recent years.
It is now a one-room pub with the former back bar converted into a dining space.
Marston's has confirmed that it has had an approach from Morrisons about buying the Seven Stars.
