Wolverhampton car showroom bid gets go-ahead on third attempt despite objections
Plans to turn a retail unit on a Wolverhampton housing estate into a car showroom have been given the go-ahead after going before planning bosses for the third time.
Proposals to change the use of the former Ash Beds Direct furniture store in Glentworth Gardens, Dunstall Hill, failed to go through in January and again in September after objections were raised by homeowners, tenants and three local councillors.
The unit, which is in the St Peter’s ward, is currently vacant. The application to turn the building into a showroom for the sale of new and used cars bought at auction was made by Miss Zahira Bibi, from Oxley.
Head of planning Stephen Alexander told Tuesday's meeting of the council’s planning committee: “The key issue is the impact on the residents of the five flats immediately above the shops. There are four flats above the shops with large front balconies over the front of the shops.”
The committee earlier heard from Richard Taylor, the agent for the application, who said: “In essence, the use that we are proposing is similar to retail use. The only difference is that vehicles are on sale and not groceries. There has been a misconception previously that we are trying to create a car lot and that is not the case.
“We will not use the car park at the front other than for its current use, which is as a shared car park for public use. With regard to the effect on neighbours, we don’t consider it to be as onerous as it has been portrayed. There are existing uses on the site – a pizza delivery/takeaway, an off-licence/newsagents and a grocery store – which we consider more onerous than what we are putting forward.
“We don’t believe there is going to be any noise pollution or odour pollution. Regarding hours of use, it will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, Saturdays 10am to 4pm, and closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays,” he added.
“Based on the fact that you’ve got an existing off-licence and a takeaway operating well beyond those hours, we don’t consider this as very onerous. There was also some misconception about staffing levels, but there will only be one person in the showroom and one part-time member of staff who will be driving the vehicles to the site.
“We will not be using large transporters as these cars are drivable. If there is any servicing required that will be done away from the site. Also, there will be no cleaning of the vehicles on the site. In conclusion, the applicant has undertaken a significant spend on improving the appearance of this building.”
Committee chair councillor Anwen Muston said: “Following our visit to the site, I do think there would be some disruption to the residents living above from noise generated in starting up the cars travelling to the floor above. And that’s a different experience than what you would get from cars outside the building.”
Councillor Andy Randle added: “The main focus for me is the residents as they have objected and are concerned about the noise issue, so that is something that I believe would have to be monitored. And if there are noise issues then that is something that would need to be addressed.”
St Peter’s ward Labour councillors Lynne Moran, Obaida Ahmed and Qaiser Azeem had all voiced their opposition to the earlier applications. The council received three written objections to the proposals and eight representations in support of the plans.
The application was moved and seconded, with seven councillors voting in favour of the plans, one against and three abstaining. It was approved subject to conditions regarding the installation of ventilation facilities and an electric vehicle charging point.
