Car sales use at Wellsmead London Road Canwell Sutton Coldfield

“The operational model, as set out by the applicant, is that vehicles for sale will be stored within the building (maximum of six) with any other vehicles for sale being stored off site and only brought to the site for viewing when requested. The use would be by appointment-only, with no more than one appointment taking place at any one time and no more than one appointment in any one-hour period.”

“Further clarification was provided by the applicant’s agent in correspondence dated 4th September, which has been published on the Council’s website. This information reaffirms that the main building (365 sqm) and standalone office (19 sqm) comprise the floorspace; that a maximum of six vehicles would be stored within the building at any one time; that all sales would be by appointment only; and that four on-site parking spaces are proposed (customer, sales…”

“The application site lies on the western side of London Road in Canwell. The red line boundary encompasses 2 buildings fronting London Road, with associated hardstanding and access taken from the central entrance directly off London Road.”

“The site lies within the Green Belt and in open countryside, outside any defined settlement boundary. It is within Flood Zone 1 and accessed from London Road (A5192) via an established central access point. Residential dwellings exist directly adjacent to the north and south-east boundaries with Canwell Gate Farm further north on the opposite side of London Road. The A38 runs adjacent to the western site boundary.”

“The main building the subject of this application has been in situ for at least 15 years and was one of five buildings included within a Certificate of Lawfulness granted in 2019 (ref. 19/01084/CLE). That certificate confirmed the lawful use of those buildings and associated land for the sales, servicing, repair and demonstration of lawnmowers and garden machinery (sui generis).”

“20/09/2019- 19/01084/CLE- Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing): Retention of 5 no buildings for continued use of sales, servicing and repair of lawnmowers and garden machinery- Approved.”

“Development principle 1.1 The application seeks retrospective permission for the retention and continued use of an existing building at Wellsmead, London Road, Canwell, for car sales purposes (classified as sui generis use). The lawful use of the site was confirmed by a Certificate of Lawfulness granted in 2019, which established that the buildings and land had been used for the sales, servicing, repair and demonstration of lawnmowers and garden machinery (sui generis).”

“It is considered that the determining issues relevant to the assessment of this proposal are:”

“Policy & principle of development (including Green Belt impacts) • Residential amenity • Access and highway safety…”

“Architectural Liaison Officer - No objections raised, it is recommended that this unit is protected by a monitored alarm system as a condition of this application. (20/08/2025)”

“Staffordshire County Council (Highways) - No objections were raised to the proposals, however this advice should not be regarded as implying that a more intensive use of the site leading to an increase in traffic would be acceptable. There are no objections on Highway grounds to the proposed development subject to the following conditions being included on any approval: 1.”

“Hints with Canwell Parish Council objects to this retrospective planning application. There are several inconsistencies detailed in the planning statement. It is misleading to ask for permission for retention of an existing building ' the much larger car showroom has been newly constructed on the site of a former shed, therefore retrospective planning permission should be applied for to cover the building and the existing plans should show the building before it was…”

“Residents have raised concerns with the Parish Council about activity at this site, this application lacks transparency and should be refused until such time as a full application can be made for the new building and associated business activities.(09/08/2025)”

“RESOLVED: Approved subject to the conditions set out in the report and the following additional condition Within one month of the date of this consent details of a visibility splay improvement scheme at the junction of the access to the site with London Road shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval in writing. The approved scheme shall be provided within one month of the condition being discharged and shall thereafter be so maintained.”

“The development authorised by this permission shall be retained in complete accordance with the approved plans and specification, as listed on this decision notice, except insofar as may be otherwise required by other conditions to which this permission is subject.”

“Within one month of the date of this permission, the proposed car parking and circulation areas as shown on the approved Site Plan (Ref: 0160_03_002 Rev A) shall be sustainably drained, hard surfaced in a bound material, and marked out in accordance with the approved plans. The parking and circulation areas shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development.”