Joy over derelict pub car wash decision
Politicians have welcomed news that a car wash will be allowed to remain on site of a derelict Walsall pub for another 12 months.
Planning officers confirmed the granting of a further year-long permission for the business to carry on operating from the former Warreners Arms in High Street, Brownhills.
Earlier this month, members of Walsall Council’s planning committee approved the extension despite officers recommending refusal.
The site has been earmarked for housing but the car wash has secured temporary permission for the past 12 years.
But councillors warned this would be the last permission for the valeting business and urged owners to push forward plans to redevelop the site for new homes.
Both Conservative and Labour Brownhills ward councillors had urged members to keep the car wash because they feared removing it would result in anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping issues in the area.
Labour councillor Stephen Wade said: “We agreed to a one year extension so the site doesn’t become a magnet for anti-social behaviour and potential fly-tipping.
“We hope the site will be regenerated for housing.”
David Morgan, chairman of Brownhills Labour branch, added: “It was right for the Planning committee to extent the temporary planning permission of the car wash based at the Warreners Arms.
“This extension will mean that the site does not become derelict and attract antisocial behaviour and fly tipping. We hope that very soon this site will be sold and redeveloped into new housing for Brownhills.”
At the planning meeting, Tory member Councillor Stephen Craddock said: “The extended use of this isn’t a problem.
“The car wash, whilst not ideal, at least keeps the site in use and free from fly-tipping and anything else.”
Representatives of the site owners Super-Mart Limited said they were committed to finding a housing developer to take over the Warreners, with a fresh marketing campaign set to start.
