Empty Walsall pub set to be turned into nursery

A developer, listed as Mrs S Kang, wants to open a 50-place nursery on the site of the former Cambridge pub in Cambridge Street, Walsall, which closed down in 2019.

If members of Walsall Council’s planning committee approve this, the new nursery would create seven full-time and five part-time members of staff.

Planning agent Design Space 2 also said the new nursery would provide much-needed facility following the closure of Palfrey Day Nursery in May 2019.

The proposal was originally turned down because officers said there was no justification for the area to lose the pub as a community asset.

They also raised concerns about the impact the noise from children using the new facility would create for neighbours in the area.

But officers say the objections raised previously have been addressed by the applicant and are recommending approval is granted subject to conditions.

This current application has attracted opposition from nearby residents with ward councillor Sabina Ditta handing in a petition with 42 signatures on it.

Their objections are around the increased pressure on street parking spaces, more traffic on the surrounding roads and the extra noise the nursery would create.

A report to committee said: “The applicant’s supporting document claims that there is poor demand for the pub by locals as justification for its change of use, evidenced by its closure over the past three years.

“Whilst it is unclear why the pub closed and has remained closed, no representations to the applications have been about retaining the building as a pub. It is therefore considered difficult to refute the applicant’s claim.”

It added a noise impact assessment, submitted by the developer, had shown children would arrive at different times during the day and the opening hours of 9.30am to 3.30pm were far less than the former pub therefore reducing the levels for neighbours.

The proposal will be discussed at the planning committee meeting on Thursday.