Retail unit and six apartments at The Merrivale, Vicarage Road, Oldbury

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the former public house and building a two-storey mixed-use development with one retail unit and six apartments.

“DC/23/68819 Application Description Demolition of former public house and construction of two storey mixed-use building comprising of one retail unit, six apartments, new access to residential parking area on Thornwood Close and associated works. Application Received 2 November 2023 Application Address The Merrivale, Vicarage Road, Oldbury B68 8HT Report Author…”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is on a traffic roundabout in a mixed commercial and residential area, with a cul-de-sac of mainly semi-detached homes behind it.

“The Application Site 5.1 The site is prominent, situated on a traffic roundabout at the junction of Vicarage Road and Dog Kennel Lane, Oldbury. The character of the area is…”

Officer report

Earlier site history

The former public house closed after operating as a public house and was later fire damaged; an earlier change-of-use application was withdrawn in 2019 over parking concerns.

“Planning History The site operated as public house until its closure and was subsequently fire damaged. There is no planning history akin to the scheme that is now before members; however, an application to change the use of the site prior to it being fire damaged was withdrawn in 2019 due to concerns over parking impact.”

Officer report

Changes to the scheme

The proposal was reduced from four storeys with two retail units and 12 apartments to two storeys with one retail unit and six apartments.

“Application Details 6.1 The application initially proposed a larger development comprising of demolition of existing and construction of a four-storey building comprising of two ground floor retail units and 12 self-contained apartments. Due to policy and design concerns, the development has been reduced to two storeys with one retail unit and six apartments. The retail unit would operate from 6am until 11pm, seven days a week.”

“The unit would be served by 23 car parking spaces with an additional two electric vehicle charging bays. Servicing to the unit would be to the rear of the unit and the site would operate a one-way traffic system, accessed from Dog Kennel Lane, leading behind the building and exiting on to Vicarage Road.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Planning policy, highways, contaminated land, water and police consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while further drainage information was required.

“Planning Policy – No objection. Whilst the principle of residential was always accepted, the retail use initially raised concerns as it failed to meet the requirements of development plan policy as 558 sqm of out of centre retail floorspace was proposed. This is above the 200 sqm threshold set out in policy CEN6 for out of centre retail development. Through several amendments, the sales floorspace has been reduced to 256sqm.”

“Public Health (Air Quality) – Electric vehicle charging points and low NOx boilers are now a requirement under building regulations. Further detail can be requested in respect of demolition dust as part of a CEMP. The officer refers to the potential for poor area quality for residents of the development due to the proximity to the traffic junction and the circular parking arrangement.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant said the vacant, disrepairing site was an eyesore, hazardous and associated with anti-social behaviour; no objectors attended.

Members’ consideration

Members were satisfied with the proposal, and an additional restriction was recommended limiting the retail use to Class E(a).

“The Development Planning Manager highlighted to members that an additional condition had been recommended to restrict the retail use of the retail unit to Class E(a).”

“Members were satisfied with the proposal and were minded to approve the application, subject to the conditions now recommended by the Executive Director-Place.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The application was approved subject to the conditions recommended by the Executive Director-Place.

“Resolved that Planning Application DC/23/68819 – The Merrivale, Vicarage Road, Oldbury B68 8HT (Demolition of former public house and construction of two storey mixed-use building comprising of one retail unit, six apartments, new access to residential parking area on Thornwood Close and associated works) is approved, subject to conditions relating to:-”

Minutes