Plans to build flats over shops in Walsall town centre thrown out
Plans to install new flats over shops on Walsall’s main high street have been thrown out over concerns there would be no public benefit from the scheme.
Developer Henry Joseph wanted to extend and refurbish space above Deichmann Shoes in Park Street to create seven apartments, which he said would bring more footfall to the area.
But planning officers said the proposal to create an extra floor on the building would harm the character of heritage buildings in the Bridge Street Conservation Area it sits in.
They added there were further issues regarding security, loss of privacy for neighbours and a lack of air quality assessment.
Had it been approved, the proposal would have seen an extra floor built on the two storey building featuring two one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom apartments and a three-bedroom flat.
New entrances to the apartments would be created next to the shops, which would be unaffected by the proposal.
Agent EA Town Planning said: “This application proposes to maximise the space available at this property by creating seven new high-quality residential flats on the upper floors of the properties and the creation of a roof garden to the rear.
“The proposed development will have the added advantage of bringing additional footfall to the High Street and will inevitably contribute to Walsall town centre’s vibrancy as an economic town centre.
“Moreover, the converted flats will have a positive impact on the retail unit at the ground floor of the building, as the marketing of the upper floors independently of the retail unit will make the commercial leases below more sustainable.”
But planning officers said: “The proposal involves significant alterations and extensions to the existing building to form living accommodation.
“The proposed alterations and extensions go beyond what the building can reasonably accommodate without detriment to the street scene and the Bridge Street Conservation Area.
“There is no information put forward in the submission to demonstrate that the proposal would result in a public benefit or the creation of additional dwellings that would count towards the provision of additional housing within the district that would overcome the policy concerns in relation to the likely impact on the character and appearance of existing heritage assets.”
