New homes to be built next to historic site

Dudley Council had ruled out an application for the demolition of an existing building to make way for two new homes next to Grade II listed Brotherhood Hall in Scotts Road.

The Planning Inspectorate however upheld an appeal against the decision, finding the new building would not have an adverse impact on the 17th century Quaker hall, known as Friends Meeting House.

In giving her decision, planning inspector Helen O’Connor said: “I find the development would make a small improvement to the character and appearance of the area and wider setting of the listed building.

“Hence, it would preserve the special qualities of the listed building and its setting.

“It follows that the development would avoid causing harm to the significance of the listed building.”

The inspector also dismissed the council’s conclusion the new homes, whilst designed with three bedrooms, had other rooms, a study, a family room and a living room, which could be converted into more bedrooms.

Planning regulations set a minimum number of parking spaces per bedroom and the council concluded “the internal layout means that the proposed development could contain up to five bedrooms which means there would be an under-supply of car parking when assessed the adopted Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document”.

In her adjudication Ms O’Conner concluded while rooms might be converted into bedroom or sub-divided, the same is true of many dwellings and the council had not set a precedent of refusing applications by applying minimum standards in the way.

She added: “It is understandable that the council may wish to avoid deliberate circumvention of the parking standards. 

“However, in this case a plausible explanation for the size and position of the study, family dining room and living room has been provided and the layout is not an unusual one.”