Transformation of Dudley high street shops for new homes rejected
Plans to transform a Dudley shopping parade into more than 30 flats have been refused by council planners over a lack of affordable housing.
The scheme would have seen a building on High Street, near St Thomas’s Church and the war memorial, converted to create 33 apartments.
The plans, which included car parking and an additional retail unit, proposed 10 two-bedroom flats, 20 one-bedroom flats and three studio flats.
The 1,000 sq ft site features shops on High Street, which would have formed part of a larger building backing onto King Street.
The ground floor commercial space would have been remodelled allowing for three smaller commercial units instead of two larger existing units.
Planning permission had already been granted for 33 flats on the second floor – subject to conditions – but the development was yet to get off the ground.
But Dudley Council’s chief officer for regeneration and enterprise, Helen Martin, has now refused the application – as the development won’t provide enough affordable housing.
The shopping parade had previously gone on the market for £1.5 million in a bid to kick-start the development.
A decision notice states: “The reason for the council’s decision is the application has failed to provide reasoned justification or a financial appraisal to justify that the provision of affordable housing would render the scheme unviable.
“The applicant has not therefore entered into a section 106 agreement for the provision of on-site affordable housing or a payment of an off-site commuted sum.”
Ward councillor Khurshid Ahmed, a former regeneration boss at the borough council, said: “It is disappointing that the developers were not able to demonstrate or provide the amount of affordable housing.
“The developers have not signed the appropriate section 106 agreement to continue with the development, which would enhance the local area and provide more accommodation available for local people.
“The last thing we want is empty properties that will attract vandalism.”
“I hope the council and developers can move forward on this proposal. I hope the developers can meet the requirements of affordable housing for the council and move the project forward.”
