New MOT centre to open in Walsall

Walsall Council received an application to convert a vacant unit on Pool Street into a auto repair centre and MOT testing centre.

And the plan was granted planning permission after authority officers worked with the applicant Qamar Rashid to ensure the development would be appropriate in the area.

Two jobs will be created with the new garage, which will operate between 9am and 5pm Monday to Fridays and between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays.

Six parking spaces will be provided in the garage’s forecourt while Mr Rashid said there will be further parking available inside the unit.

As part of the conditions for approval, the council said vehicle repairs will not be allowed outside of the unit to minimise disruption to neighbouring businesses.

Steve Pretty, Walsall Council’s head of planning, said: “Walsall Council seeks to work proactively with owners, developers and their agents in the public interest to promote sustainable developments in the borough.

“The National Planning Policy Framework encourages pre-application discussion to help ensure that proposed developments are delivered in the most appropriate way that creates economic growth, suitable housing and other forms of development so long as they safeguard the natural and built environment, highway safety and amenity to citizens.

“In this instance the council has been able to support the proposed development and has worked with the applicant.”