Industrial unit with offices at Land At Summerton Road, Oldbury

What was proposed

The applicant proposed a 720-square-metre industrial unit for minor industrial processes, with ancillary offices, reception and staff facilities, plus 16 parking spaces.

“Application Details The applicant proposes a new industrial unit for Class E(g)(iii) use with ancillary offices and parking. The unit appears to be speculative with no end user yet identified; however, the proposed use class can be described as ‘any industrial process which can be carried out in any residential area without causing detriment to the amenity of the area’.”

“The applicant proposes a total 720 sqm of floor space with 630 sqm of industrial floor space and the remainder ancillary offices, with a reception area, staff rooms and toilets. The use would be over one ground floor area. Sixteen off-street car parking spaces are proposed as well as a small amount of landscaping which would likely be utilised by waste and cycle storage.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant site lies beside a cul-de-sac, within a mixed industrial and residential area and next to the Birmingham Old Main Line Canal.

“The Application Site 5.1 The application site is vacant and lies to the east of a cul-de-sac section of Summerton Road, Oldbury. The character of the surrounding area is mixed with industrial and residential uses evident. The northeastern boundary of the site is adjacent to the Birmingham Old Main Line Canal.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

An earlier residential outline application was refused and dismissed on appeal, while a similar industrial proposal was approved in 2022.

“Planning History DC/21/66106 Proposed industrial unit (Use Class E(g)(iii) Industrial processes) with ancillary offices and associated parking. Approved - 04.03.2022 DC/17/60736 Proposed outline application for residential development (all matters reserved). Refused - 02.10.2017 Appeal dismissed - 15.10.2018”

Officer report

What consultees said

Consultees raised matters including canal character, ecology, lighting, contamination, drainage, access and cycle parking, with conditions proposed to address them.

“Highways No objection subject to conditions requiring the provision and retention of parking and a drop kerb access.”

“The Canal and River Trust The trust raises issues concerning the impact on the character and appearance of the waterway corridor; the impact on the biodiversity associated with the waterway corridor; the impact of the proposal upon the water quality of the Old Main Line Canal; and the impact on the remains of former canal basins on site.”

Officer report

Neighbour responses

The application received no responses to the neighbour notifications, site notice and press notice.

“Publicity The application has been publicised by two neighbour notification letters and by site and press notice. No responses have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Neither the applicant nor the objector attended the meeting.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the industrial unit, imposed the recommended conditions and approved an exception to the Development Plan.

“(1) That Planning Application DC/25/70997 – Land at Summerton Road, Oldbury (Proposed industrial unit (Use Class E(g)(iii) with ancillary offices and associated parking) is approved subject to conditions relating to:-”

“(2) that approval is given to make an exception to the Development Plan in respect of Planning Application DC/25/70997 for a proposed industrial unit (Class E(g)(iii)) with ancillary officers and associated parking.”

Minutes