Developers second attempt at housing plan for car park of former Walsall library
Developers are hoping for a case of ‘second time lucky’ in their bid to build new homes on the car park of a former Walsall library.
RH Developments (Midlands) Ltd have again put forward a proposal to create two pairs of semi-detached houses on the site of Walsall Wood Library’s car park, on Coppice Road, just weeks after a similar plan was scuppered.
Back in November, Government inspectors rejected the scheme due to the controversial ‘Cannock Chase Tax’ which sees a charge of just over £290 per home built within 15km of the Staffordshire beauty spot being levied on developers.
The money is used for the upkeep of Cannock Chase and is enshrined in law under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 act.
RH Developments had lodged an appeal to the planning inspectorate arguing the application hadn’t been determined in good time by Walsall Council planning officers.
As part of its submissions, the council said the development would affect the integrity of the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation.
And this was backed by inspector Jonathan Edwards, despite the fact he said the scheme would provide a number of benefits, who dismissed the appeal.
In the new application, the developer has agreed to mitigate against the impact the houses would have on the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation.
Agents Integrated Designs and Associates Ltd said: “The proposal is for creation of four new two bedroom dwellings with amenity space and parking.
“The proposal will respect the neighbouring 2 storey form of the buildings along Coppice Rd and will be sympathetic to the immediate local area in the choice of building materials.
“This development will improve the appearance of the site which is well maintained but currently detracts from the well-kept properties and landscaping locally.
“Essentially the development looks to efficiently utilise this unused space to create high quality homes.”
A decision on the application is expected to be made by planning officers later this month.
Walsall Wood Library was one of nine community facilities that were axed in 2017 by the then administration in the wake of financial pressures.
A plan to convert the library building into apartments was also rejected last year amidst fears over the impact it could have on neighbouring heritage assets.
