281 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ Data via plota.co.uk

DC/26/71889 - Change of Use Awaiting decision
Change of useShopfrontsUtility infrastructureCommercial premises

Proposal

Proposed change of use from Retail Sale of Goods (Class E(a) to Restaurant/Cafe (Class E(b)), new shop front, extraction flue to the rear, and external alterations. Data via plota.co.uk

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View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
1 Jul 2026
✓
Validated
12 Aug 2026
✓
Consultation
12 Aug 2026
Decision
Expected by 7 Oct 2026

Under consideration

No decision has been issued yet. Plota predicted a decision around 9 Oct 2026; it is now day 58.

The consultation period closed on 4 Sept 2026.

Documents 9

Decision & officer reports 1

PDF CHANGE OF USE APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Application Form · 1 Jul 2026 View ↗

Statements & assessments 2

PDF BNG EXEMPTION STATEMENT Report · 11 Aug 2026 View ↗ PDF DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT Other · 1 Jul 2026 View ↗

Plans & drawings 4

PDF BLOCK PLAN OS Extract · 11 Aug 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING & PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR PLAN Drawing · 11 Aug 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING & PROPOSED ELEVATIONS Drawing · 11 Aug 2026 View ↗ PDF LOCATION PLAN OS Extract · 11 Aug 2026 View ↗

Application forms 1

PDF CIL FORM 1: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Other · 1 Jul 2026 View ↗

Other documents 1

PDF DOCUMENT REGISTER Other · 11 Aug 2026 View ↗

All documents on the council site ↗

Site constraints 7

Smethwick High Street and Crocketts Lane conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
Council document ↗
Air quality management area: Sandwell AQMA
The council has declared the area as failing an air quality objective.
Schemes that add traffic, parking or combustion plant are assessed against the area's action plan and may need an air quality assessment.
Council record ↗
Habitat network: Network Enhancement Zone 2
Where habitat is joined up enough to work as a network. Context, not a constraint on its own.
2 listed buildings within 150 m
Nearest: Council House, Grade II, 49 m away · 2 Grade II
The site itself is not listed. Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Show all 2 with distances
Historic England ↗
Also on the record
Nature improvement area: Birmingham and the Black Country; Coalfield, development low risk area; Inside the Smethwick built-up area.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site

Checked on 6 October 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Mining Remediation Authority and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

Building

Floor area93 m² (1,001 sq ft)
Energy ratingB (asset rating 47)
UseRetail/Financial and Professional Services
HeatingHeating and Natural Ventilation

From the energy performance certificate lodged in January 2025, the latest held for this property. The building may have changed since. View the certificate

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Other new applications on this street

25 Jun 2026Approved

277 - 279 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ

Proposed discharge of condition 3 of planning permission DC/25/70359.

DOC/26/01039
24 Jun 2026Approved

Punjabi Sweets And Curry House 285 - 287 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ

Retention of extract flue to side/rear, and double-glazed windows.

DC/26/71871
18 Feb 2026Refused

Adjacent Victoria Park Lodge High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ

Proposed single storey modular building with associated entrance steps & ramp.

DC/26/71472
28 Aug 2026Pending

64 High Street Smethwick B66 1DS

Proposed discharge of conditions 3, 6, and 7 of planning permission DC/23/68236.

DOC/26/01069

Nearby new applications

16 Sept 2026Pending

94 Vicarage Road Smethwick B67 7AL

Retention of single storey rear extension.

DC/26/72117
30 Sept 2026Pending

143 Arden Road Smethwick B67 6EN

Proposed single storey rear extension measuring: 3.8m L x 2.9m H (2.9m to eaves)

PD/26/03354
24 Aug 2026Pending

372 High Street Smethwick B66 3PJ

Proposed change of use from offices to 1 No. residential dwelling, raising roof ...

DC/26/72060
14 Aug 2026Pending

370 High Street Smethwick B66 3PJ

Proposed change of use from offices to 1 No. residential dwelling, raising roof ...

DC/26/72023
17 Aug 2026Pending

20 Rosefield Road Smethwick B67 6DU

Proposed change of use from residential dwelling to 6 No. bedroom (6 No. person)...

DC/26/72028
20 Jul 2026Pending

27 Parkhill Road Smethwick B67 6AS

Proposed change of use from dwelling to 6 person HMO (Lawful Development Certifi...

DC/26/71948

Important details

Council
Sandwell
Application type
Change of Use
Postcode
B66 3NJ
Received
1 Jul 2026
Validated
12 Aug 2026
Ward
Soho & Victoria
Case officer
Show
Target decision
7 Oct 2026
Decision level
Delegated Decision
Applicant
Show
Agent
Reade Buray Associates

Decision outlook

Day 58, past the statutory target. 75% of changes of use in Sandwell are decided within thirteen weeks, which runs to 11 Nov 2026; extensions of time are common, and the council need not decide on the day. Last seen undecided on 7 Oct 2026.

Day 582 days past the 56-day target
59%decided within 8 weeks
83%approved
6%go to committee

Plota live figures for changes of use decided by Sandwell in the last twelve months, from validation. Sandwell decision record →

Public comments

No public comments yet.

7 neighbours consulted · Last counted 7 Oct 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PG-21897906
Neighbours
12 Aug 2026
Consultation
12 Aug 2026
Comments by
4 Sept 2026
Statutory expiry
7 Oct 2026
Env. assessment
No

Historical activity at this location

18 previous applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.

This property

Previous applications at this address

2016 Approved
Proposed single and two storey rear extensions.
DC/16/59121
Within ~100m

Nearby activity

2025 Refused
277 - 279 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ
Proposed change of use at ground floor rear and first floor from residential to 11 No. be…
DC/25/70359
2025
236 High Street Smethwick B66 3NL
Proposed change of use from social club to residential children's home for up to 6 No. yo…
DC/25/70871
2024 Approved
Bus Shelter 307212 Outside 253 High Street Smethwick
Proposed double sided digital display.
DC/24/6910A
2024 Approved
Network West Midland Bus Shelter Adjacent 264 High Street Smethwick
Proposed double-sided digital bus shelter display.
DC/24/6902A
2020 Approved
Land High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ
Proposed 20m Phase 8 Telecommunications Monopole C/W wraparound cabinet at base and assoc…
DC/20/64379
2019 Approved
271 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ
Proposed change of use from shop to cafe/restaurant (A3 use).
DC/19/63349
2019 Withdrawn
13 Firs Lane Smethwick B67 6AF
Retention of change of use from hair and beauty training facility (Class A1) to residenti…
DC/19/63727
2019 Approved
263 - 267 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ
Retention of a second ATM.
DC/19/63499
2019 Approved
263 - 267 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ
Retention of integral illumination and screen to the ATM fascia, internally illuminated F…
DC/19/6650A
2019 Approved
Sandwell MBC Adult And Community Services St Pauls Office 253 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ
Discharge of condition 3a of planning permission DC/18/62345.
DOC/19/00068
2018 Approved
Principal Court Firs Lane Smethwick
Retention of 3m high perimeter wall to side and proposed new metal railings on top of exi…
DC/18/62366
2018 Approved
253 High Street Smethwick B66 3NJ
Proposed change of use from former council offices to a day centre (class D1) and ancilla…
DC/18/62345
2018 Approved
270 - 272 High Street Smethwick B66 3NL
Retention of non-illuminated ATM signage.
DC/18/6575A
2018 Refused
270 - 272 High Street Smethwick B66 3NL
Retention of a free standing ATM.
DC/18/61941
2018 Approved
268A High Street Smethwick B66 3NL
Retention of 9 bed HMO at first floor.
DC/18/61418
2018 Approved
Smethwick Council House 297 High Street Smethwick B66 3NT
Proposed removal and replacement of roof slates.
DC/18/61506
2016 Approved
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Smethwick Council House 297 High Street Smethwick B66 3NT
Proposed repair works to terracotta elements of facade to include the replacement of some…
DC/16/59162
Sandwell
Planning Authority Score
5/10
Average
#149 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Change of use

Sandwell ranks #131 out of 296 councils for householder decision speed. Householder applications are slightly less likely to be approved here (88%) than the national average (90%).

These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Sandwell decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
86%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #198 of 296
88%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #223 of 296
69%
Decided in 8 weeks
Above avg (63%) #131 of 296
34%
Extended time limit
Below avg (41%) #92 of 296
80%
Minor dwellings approved
44 decided (1-9 homes)
100%
Major dwellings approved
15 decided (10+ homes)
78%
Change of use approved
46 decided
909
Total decisions
124 refused in the year to March 2026
Source: MHCLG planning statistics · See full council rankings

Freehold boundary: © Crown copyright and database rights 2026, HM Land Registry. Polygons © Crown copyright and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey 100026316. Conditions of use

Energy performance: Energy performance certificates from the Energy Performance of Buildings Register, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright 2026.