Plan for new flats in Dudley town centre approved despite no car parking provision
Council planners have given the go-ahead for 12 new flats in Dudley town centre along with the refurbishment of two shop fronts.
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The scheme will see the creation of ten one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats as well as a podium courtyard for residents at an existing site on High Street.
The two existing shops on the ground floor will remain while a basement level will be used for residential and cycle storage, a residential bin store and a plant room.
A large section of the rear of the building will be demolished while the improvements to the front will ‘altogether improve upon the appearance of the building to the benefit of the character and appearance of the wider area’ according to a report for planners from council officers.
The report also said one letter was received during the consultation process raising concerns about parking.
West Midlands Police also had concerns about parking as well as a possible increase in vehicle crime and a possible rise in demand for police resources in the area.
A statement in support of the application from Whitebox Architecture and Design said: “The site has no car parking provision; however, is highly accessible on foot, cycle and by public transport.
“This will mean that the need for car ownership is reduced, and whilst the desire for car ownership may remain, prospective residents will assess available parking provision against their own need or aspiration for car ownership when considering occupation.”
A plan for eight new flats in Halesowen has been thrown out after being deemed as ‘garden grabbing’ by council planners.
An application for the demolition of an existing detached house and the construction of a new block of flats on Nimmings Road was also found not to provide enough space for residents.
The application came in the wake of a refusal for a similar scheme for five flats on the same site in October 2023.
Planners also concluded the new building would not be reflective of surrounding development and, due to excessive scale and layout, would not provide safe access to the site from the road while parking provision was also inadequate.
