£4.5m home complex to replace former Walsall pub
A pub is poised to be knocked down and replaced with a retirement home complex after the multi-million pound plans received the support of the public.
The former Park Tavern site in Walsall has been earmarked for 28 homes, along with restaurant and communal facilities, as part of a £4.5 million scheme.
A total of 24 letters of support have been submitted to Walsall Council and now officers have recommended that planning consent is granted by councillors this week.
The pub on Broadway North closed last year and there have been concerns about anti-social behaviour at the site, near the Walsall Arboretum.
The new proposed four-storey L-shaped building has been put forward by developers McCarthy and Stone and will be discussed by planners on Thursday.
The letters of support say it would be an attractive development, although there has been an objection over concerns of car parking in the area.
But the scheme includes 21 car parking spaces which head of planning David Elsworthy says would be appropriate for such a scheme.
In his report to members of the planning committee he says: "The use of the land for housing, specifically retirement housing would be particularly welcomed as this meets a specific housing need and would not result in town centre uses on the site.
It continued: "Overall, the proposed parking level is appropriate for the development and its location adjacent to good public transport routes.
A planning statement in support of the application adds: "This specialised form of housing provides the frail elderly with a better housing choice.
"It provides residents with safety, security and companionship and removes the heavy burden of property maintenance.
"Therefore, it reduces the anxieties and worries experienced by many elderly people living in accommodation that does not best suit their needs."
The development comes as a number of prominent pubs in Walsall have been lost and turned into homes in recent years.
Walsall Council has been looking at extra powers to give greater consideration to pubs that are being replaced for residential development.
Most recently an empty pub which sits on a main gateway into Walsall town centre was given the go-ahead to be converted into homes.
The Hatherton Arms, off Lichfield Street, is to be converted and extended to create apartments and flats.
The former Station Street Working Men's Club, in Milton Street, Palfrey, will also be transformed into 10 flats after getting planning approval last year.
