Walsall car park to cut number of spaces

Walsall Council planners granted retrospective planning permission for the facility at Station Street, which has been used as a pay and display short stay car park for the past few years.

But changes to the facility mean the number of parking spaces will go down from the current 119 to 99, including 10 disabled bays.

In the application, ASB Property Consultants – representing the applicant listed as Mr Singh – said the reduction, as well as more clearly defined entry and exit points would improve the layout as well as the flow of vehicles using it.

The car park, based near Walsall railway station, was created after a former leather works that was based on the site was demolished in August 2014.

Planning permission was applied for in 2017 but officers requested more information but this approval now means the future of the facility is now secure.

The application said: “The car park currently has 119 spaces and is very well located for access to the town centre, surrounding commercial and industrial areas and Walsall railway station, making the car park attractive to both commuters and shoppers.

“The car park has good pedestrian access to the surrounding area, including the pedestrianised zone of the town centre.

“There are regular rail services from Walsall station throughout the week which are within a 1-2 minute walk.

“Overall, the car park is very well located and well used at present.

“The proposals would significantly improve the existing parking arrangements and design quality, resulting in a reduced capacity of 99 spaces.

“The reduction would displace a small amount of parking to alternative locations but would not have any significant impact on the surrounding highway network.

“There are no apparent highway issues that would be of concern in the context of formalising the change of use.”