Plan to convert empty Tipton pub into flats rejected
A move to turn an empty Tipton pub into new flats has been turned down.
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Sandwell Council rejected the planning application to convert the former Old Court House in Lower Church Lane, Tipton, into ten flats, saying the site would be “over intensified” if it went ahead.
The plans for the former pub, which closed in 2021, included converting into four flats alongside a new three-storey building with six flats.
According to the council, no outdoor space would have been provided, and some of the flats failed to meet the minimum size standard of ten square metres.
A report outlining the decision by planners at Sandwell Council said: “The proposals as [it] stands are an over intensification of the site, this can be evidenced by poor circulation around the buildings for pedestrian access and the movement of bins/goods, inadequate bin storage, low levels of accessible amenity space, a car-dominated environment and poor interface distances between the new build apartment block and existing industrial units leading to a poor outlook for residents of this block and potential issues over noise.”
A statement included with the application said: “The existing building has been designed to retain the existing street scene features. The new rear build has been designed to provide the main aspect of the courtyard area. There is a communal entrance lobby to each building.
“To the rear of the site, there will be communal amenity space together [with a] storage building for secure cycle/mobility scooter storage. There are good transport links from the site via Dudley Port station and the number 74 bus is connected to Birmingham and Dudley and operates seven days a week.”
Sandwell Council approved plans by Mr Afzal to demolish a builder’s yard and offices in Brick Kiln Street, Tipton, for a new three-storey block with nine flats in May.
The council had criticised the application for potentially ‘damaging’ protected views of the listed St Martins and St Pauls church from the ‘sensitive’ canalside location near Tipton railway station. The plans were later redrawn following the concerns and then approved by the council.
