Old Walsall petrol station site to be turned into apartment block despite local opposition

Walsall Council’s planning committee approved a proposal by EDS Couriers to erect the three-storey, 14-flat development on the site currently used as a temporary car wash facility on Wednesbury Road in Walsall.

Developers said the apartments would deliver high quality and affordable homes as well as being a “vibrant” addition to the area.

But it provoked strong objections from residents, who submitted a 47-name petition, worried about existing congestion and parking problems being made worse as a result of the development.

People also raised concerns about the loss of light and privacy to the nearby Masjid Al Farouq mosque and houses on adjacent Milton Street.

Ward councillors Hajran Bashir and Sabina Ditta spoke out against the proposals at the planning meeting.

Councillor Ditta said: “The apartment buildings will feature some loss of light for those who are worshippers at the mosque as well as some houses on Milton Street.

“It does lead to overlooking and loss of privacy for those houses as well as the mosque because some of those balconies will directly look into it.

“In the area, there is inadequate parking. Although it is saying there will be some parking spaces, we can’t always be sure the households will keep to that limit.

“Also, what about their visitors and that will lead to more parking on that area in Milton Street and Cobden Street.

“Furthermore, we have got problems with traffic flow there. You cannot get two cars through there safely, it is a big hazard. This development would impact that.”

Councillor Bashir added: “The building of these apartments will create parking problems which is already congested in this area.

“Milton Street is a hub for shopping and takeaways, there are quite a few there. This has resulted in inconsiderate parking.

“There is a fear the apartments will be used as a HMO and that will create further problems. Wednesbury Road already has HMOs and there is a fear of an increase in crime and fly-tipping.

“The apartments’ height and design is out of sync with the surrounding buildings. It will block light for some residents.

“It will have an impact on the mosque which is a major iconic place there recognised for its design nationally.”

“The site was a former petrol station and there are concerns there are fuel tanks buried underground and the land will be contaminated. If excavated it will have a detrimental impact on air pollution causing health issues.”

They were supported by councillors Aftab Nawaz and Khizar Hussain who said existing problems would only increase.

Councillor Nawaz said: “One of the main concerns for me which I don’t think has been adequately met is how they would deal with the congestion and traffic issues in that area.

“It’s a nightmare. The traffic situation will be made worse. That’s a strong enough reason to not support the application.

“This development would add to congestion which is already at a level that is very disruptive to the locals, there is further danger to children from this traffic and there is a lack of adequate parking which would be exacerbated by this development.”

Councillor Hussain added: “The lives of the people who reside there are miserable because of these issues. This (development) will have a detrimental impact on their welfare, well-being and quality of life.”

But chairman and council leader Mike Bird said the highways department had no concerns about safety and added the proposal could be supported with conditions imposed on parking and vehicle manoeuvring.

He said: “This was a petrol station and there would be more traffic movements than these apartments.

“I think it is a quality development that would get rid of what is a redundant petrol station which if it opened tomorrow would have more traffic than this.”