School to take over empty shops
A school has been given the green light to take over four shops which have lain empty in Walsall town centre for a number of years.
Walsall Studio School, which is part of the Mercian Trust, will incorporate the row of units on George Street after being granted permission from council planning officers.
As part of the prior approval application, school representatives said the shops had been disused for four years and efforts to get new businesses to take them up had failed.
The shops will be converted into additional classrooms which will complement the facilities in the school’s campus across the road.
Agents Delta Planning said: “The development proposed is the change of use of units 5-8 George Street from retail to use as part of the school.
“No external alterations are required other than signage. The retail units are situated directly opposite the school and will provide additional teaching accommodation to support curriculum needs.
“The units will only be used during normal school hours (8.30am-4.30pm) Monday to Friday and therefore will not be in use at times when residential amenity issues would be a concern.
“The application site comprises of four retail units totalling 264 sq.m. They
form part of a modern parade of shops built as part of the St Matthews Quarter mixed use development which also comprises residential apartments and parking.
“The location is highly accessible being close to Walsall town centre with excellent bus and train services within a few minutes walk, and being adjacent to Asda and a large multi-storey car park.
“The units have fully glazed shop frontages onto George Street. The units have
been vacant for at least four years despite continuous marketing over that period.
“Having assessed the site and the proposed use we consider that there are no likely unacceptable impacts posed by this change of use and we seek confirmation of this from the planning authority.”
