Flats plan for Walsall pub rejected
A bid to convert an ailing Walsall pub which struggled for trade as a result of the pandemic into new apartments has failed.
Applicant Gurmeet Singh had wanted to demolish the Crown Inn on Long Acre Street, near the town centre, and erect a block of 14 flats in its place.
But planning officers at Walsall Council raised a number of concerns about the proposal including the ‘unacceptable impact’ on road safety and concerns over the security of the site and potential crime and anti-social behaviour.
Fears were also raised over the impact the development would have on the nearby Grade II Listed Victoria Mills site.
The Crown Inn is also situated within the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation, which means every planning application with 15km has to carry out assessments on the impact it might have on Cannock Chase, and planners said no mitigation measures had been included.
As part of the deal developers must pay £290.58 on each dwelling in new schemes to go towards the upkeep of the conservation area
In the application, Mr Singh said the number of customers using the boozer has fallen and never recovered following lockdown in 2020.
He also added there were a number of other pubs close to the Crown Inn and redeveloping it would be more beneficial to the area.
Agents JBVJ said: “We feel the loss of the Crown Inn will not be detrimental to the area as there are a number of similar public house facilities within close proximity of the site in a more convenient location.
“These are Rock Steady Eddie’s – 80 metres from the application site, The Pretty Bricks – 100 metres from the application site, Desi Starr Inn – 245 metrrs from the application site and The New Navigation Pub – 500 metres from the application site.
“The Crown Inn has seen a decline in patronage due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has created an inability to attract and retain new and existing customers.
“Its current state means it adds to the existing decline of character and activity, yet has the potential to be a landmark residential building for the local area.
“The very nature of public houses depends on attracting and retaining local custom.
“For this reason, the redevelopment of the public house is not economically viable for the applicant as they would require a good level of business which has since dispersed to other venues within the local area to the inability to modernise in the post-pandemic era.”
