New community centre near Tividale gurdwara on hold over parking fears
Plans to build a community centre in the Black Country have been put on hold by planning chiefs, amid fears over car parking.
Sandwell Council's planning committee deferred the application until their next meeting when they met on Wednesday, to receive further information from highways.
Leaders from the Gurdwara Guru, in Tividale, had applied for planning permission for the new centre to be built on the car park in Upper Chapel Street.
Planning officers had recommended the scheme be refused over concerns of insufficient car parking.
A petition with scores of signatures was submitted to Sandwell Council against the plans.
A council report said: "Following a number of car parking surveys being undertaken and in consideration of evidence provided by residents, the head of highways has now formally objected to the proposal.
"It is considered that the existing car park is wholly required for the existing use by the temple and any loss and increased demand would inevitably lead to increased parking on adjacent streets."
Opponents had also raised fears about parking, noise pollution, light pollution and potential for anti-social behaviour.
The community centre has been mooted for land which was turned into a car park back in 2010 – with extra spaces added two years later.
An application was submitted to the council for the centre along with ‘associated works’.
It was earmarked for the west side of the car park and was due to be open from 9.30am to 5pm from Monday to Sunday.
The application is expected to be next up for discussion at the council's planning committee meeting on June 6.
