Walsall toilets demolition plan is rejected

Walsall Council planning officers rejected the proposal to demolish the former public conveniences in Norton Road, Pelsall, in order to build terraced housing.

The scheme, put forward by applicant Steve Hayward, also wanted to redevelop the former neighbourhood office buildings next door into more housing as well as demolish a rear extension to that building.

If approved, the scheme would have seen a total of five two and three-bedroom homes created in the area.

But planners threw out the proposal for a number of reasons which included concerns about the development being ‘cramped’ in the area.

Officers were also concerned that the proposed rear car park would not be used and potentially attract anti-social behaviour while the houses would be out of character with the Pelsall Conservation Area the site currently sits in.

In May last year, plans to demolish the toilets and refurbish the offices to create four three-bedroom homes were also rejected for similar reasons.

But Avalon Heritage, who was asked to assess the impact the proposal might have on the historical area, backed the plans to be an improvement.

In a report to planners, it said: “The proposed scheme offers an opportunity to enhance the conservation area through a redevelopment which will be more in keeping with the local built form and streetscape than the existing anomalous, visually jarring situation.

“Due to the sympathetic design of the proposed building along with its orientation and terraced platform, it will blend in well with the existing street scene.”

In the decision notice, planners said: “The proposed development represents a cramped over-development of the site.

“The proposed rear car park is remote with no active surveillance from the proposed dwellings representing poor design.

“Due to its remote location, it is unlikely that residents would utilise these parking spaces and as such could potentially result in in anti-social behaviour/activity.”