Car showroom plan backed at former Wyevale Garden Centre site
A former garden centre in Walsall is to become a car showroom, creating extra jobs.
Plans to turn Wyevale Garden Centre in Aldridge, which closed earlier this year, into the showroom and sales centre was backed by Walsall Council’s planning committee on Thursday.
Despite receiving objections from residents, members unanimously granted permission for the scheme, which had been put forward by Sharaaz Ahmed.
The committee did, however, raise concerns over proposed Sunday opening hours up to 5pm and members resolved to restrict this to 3pm instead.
The showroom will be open seven days a week; 9am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm on Saturday and 9am to 3pm on Sundays.
It will see the creation of 15 full time and 10 part time jobs.
There will also be room for more than 100 cars on site, including 20 on display in the showroom, 75 in storage and 30 parking spaces.
Concerns raised by residents included an increase in traffic, noise, parking issues and potentially an increase in crime.
But a report to committee said: “The current main building to the front of the site is of a permanent and substantial nature and appear to be sufficiently large enough to contain the new activities within their current footprint.
“The character of the area would not change significantly apart from the installation of a roller shutter, the overall design, style and buildings will remain as existing and is acceptable.”
