Councillors run rule over Oldbury temple's community centre plan
Controversial plans to build a proposed Sikh community centre in Oldbury, look set to be finally decided next week.
The Gurdwara Guru Hargobind Sahib is asking councillors for permission to use part of its existing car park to accommodate the new building in Upper Chapel Street.
The latest application is the second attempt to obtain planning permission after councillors rejected a similar plan last year – on the grounds 68 car parking spaces was not enough.
In an effort to address those concerns the Gurdwara is now applying to to demolish its former building 300 metres away and use the vacant land as an overspill which it says will increase the number of car parking spaces to 89.
A formal decision on the plans had been expected in early September but councillors deferred the application to visit the site.
The scheme is being opposed by residents living next to the proposed site on Acacia Close and planning officers who say the number of spaces would still be insufficient to deal with the expected vehicles.
Local people have filed a petition with more than 180 signatures and 18 formal objections to the plans.
Opponents say the existing car park is currently at capacity with vehicles over spilling onto the highway and roads are constantly busy with local businesses, parents taking children to the nearby Tividale primary school and residents parking.
Residents have also said their homes will be overlooked by the centre leading to a loss of privacy.
The council highway department estimates a total of 98-113 off-street parking spaces are required while only 89 are proposed, recommending the whole of the car park is retained for existing use.
Planning officers have also pointed out the land is scheduled for employment use and the application is contrary to the council’s local plan.
In recommending refusal, they say: “The proposal would result in removal of an aspect of the car park which would result in insufficient car parking being provided for the existing temple and the proposed centre. This would be to the detriment of the users of the highway.”
Councillors will meet on October 2 to discuss the application.
