Stourbridge High Street flats plan at old supermarket backed despite music fans fears
Plans for nine flats in a former supermarket have been given the go-ahead despite objections from nearby music venue fearing noise complaints.
Councillors allowed the conversion of a former Co-operative store in on Stourbridge High Street into homes close to the Claptrap bar.
The bar’s managers had claimed the development would have a negative impact on the town’s night life.
Its objections were backed by a petition signed by 147 music fans asking councillors to reject the scheme.
Developers had asked for permission to convert part of the ground and the first floor of the former store to create three one-bedroomed and six two-bedroomed flats.
The store faces onto the High Street and runs parallel to the venue which is only metres away.
Objectors said the apartments would be too close to the live music venue and residents would suffer disturbance from performing bands.
But council officers, recommending the scheme for approval at Dudley Council's planning committee, said: “It is considered that the proposed development is acceptable in terms of scale, size and appearance and would not have a detrimental impact on surrounding amenity and the street scene nor raise any highway safety issues and is compliant with adopted Core Strategy policies, Development Strategy policies and the Stourbridge Area Action plan.”
Councillors at Tuesday’s meeting of the committee voted to by five to four to grant planning permission.
Reacting to the decision on its Facebook page, the Claptrap bar said: “We’d like to thank everyone who submitted an objection and signed our petition.
“There are a lot of empty (or currently being built/converted) luxury flats around Stourbridge high street at the moment and we only hope it doesn’t affect the live music and DJ nights.”
