Anger as new Oldbury bar gets go-ahead
Angry residents fear noise and anti-social behaviour will arise after plans were approved to convert a former pharmacy into a microbar.
Sandwell Council planning officers recommended approval for the use of the shop, in Causeway Green Road, Langley, to be converted into a licensed bar with beer garden.
The premises have stood empty since last year - where it was then home to Oldbury Pharmacy.
But concerned residents said that they felt the council had not listened to their worries about late-night drinking and rowdy gatherings outside in the summer.
Seven letters of objection were received from neighbouring properties.
Adam Williams, who lives on the Lions Farm estate in Oldbury, said he was concerned about the noise levels and potential anti-social behaviour, as his children live just doors away on Causeway Green Road.
"I am so angry that the council has given this the go ahead - it seems like they are only bothered about making money and don't care about the nuisance it could cause us," he explained.
"My two children, who are aged two and six, live just doors away from this. It is too close to the houses and will be rowdy in the summer with a beer garden out the back too.
"They have not took any consideration into context at all.
"I am extremely concerned about the opening and closing hours and the fact that alcohol will be drunk outside too.
"My daughter's room will be over-looking a beer garden - how unfair is that," he added.
The operating hours are set to be restricted to 9am to 11pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 11pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.
A restriction on deliveries to the site would also be made, with the beer garden due to be closed to customers between 8pm and 9am.
No amplified live or recorded music would be allowed to be played at the premises neither.
Councillor Julie Webb, who is part of the planning committee, said that it was a 'tricky decision' to make.
She added: "We based the decision on the recommendation of the officers that said there was no concern from Highways and the Planning officers.
"We could have said no but the applicant would have no doubt gone to appeal and it would have gone through that way instead.
"It was a tricky decision - we were between a rock and a hard place.
"But the opening hours will go have to go before licensing first."
The applicant described the micro bar in the planning application as a 'very small freehold licensed property selling mostly real ales from local independent brewers and cold buffet sandwiches'.
Four part-time staff would also be employed at the bar.
