12-apartment block at Land At Corner Of Russell Street, Wolverhampton

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing residential garages and building twelve one-bedroom apartments with landscaping, boundaries and parking.

“Planning application no. 25/00604/FUL Site Land at Corner of Russell Street, Zoar Street and Merridale Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0PF”

“Proposal Proposed demolition of residential garages, and construction of an apartment block comprising twelve, one-bedroom apartments, with associated landscaping, boundary treatments and parking.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The level, hard-surfaced site contained 36 disused garages, and prior approval was not required for their demolition.

“Summary recommendation 1.1 Grant permission subject to conditions 2.0 Application site 2.1 The approximately 1,000m 2 site is located 330m west of the City Centre Ring Road, at the corner of Russell Street, Zoar Street, and Merridale Street. The site is rectangular, level, and hard-surfaced, containing 36 disused single-storey garages. Russell Street Park lies immediately to the north-east.”

“One tree is present along the northern boarder of the site, with a line of trees overhanging the eastern border with the Russell Street Park. None of these are within a Conservation Area or covered by Tree Preservation Orders. There are no planning policy designations associated with this site. Relevant planning history 3.1 24/00765/DEM – Demolition of 36 garages – Prior Approval Not Required on 07/08/24.”

Officer report

Main effects considered

The assessment found some harm to three neighbouring flats’ outlook and light, but considered privacy, resident amenity, design, parking and highway safety acceptable.

“Subsequently, the scheme is compliant with the Council’s adopted Guidance for Residential Development and the relevant planning policies. Whilst harm to neighbouring amenity would indeed be present, when taking the site constraints into account, by virtue of the design, this harm has been limited as much as possible.”

“Whilst the majority of the surrounding uses would be un-affected by the proposal, some harm would come to three flats overlooking the site in the adjacent apartment building. Whilst there would be no unacceptable harm to privacy, impacts to both outlook and light availability would be noticeable for the residents.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most consultees raised no objection, while the flood authority sought further measures concerning exceedance flows, surface water and sustainable drainage.

“- The proposed design would not be in-keeping with those of the surrounding area. - The apartment block is out of character for the local area, by introducing more transient tenants with short term tenancies. - The closure of the garages has increased reliance on street parking in the local area, creating added congestion and increasing highway safety hazards and possibly reducing fire service response times.”

“Severn Trent Water – no objection subject to the use of a pre-commencement condition requesting the submission of additional information concerning drainage and utility connections. Staffordshire County Council (Local Lead Flood Authority) – concerns raised. Specifically concerning: a lack of mitigation measures will be implemented to stop exceedance flows leaving the site; and no use of SuDS / natural infiltration to dispose of surface water.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker addressed the committee against the application, and another speaker addressed it in support.

Committee discussion

The planning officer answered questions, describing the proposals as acceptable and saying management and policing would help improve the area.

“The report was considered by Committee, and Councillor Sweetman noted that although the site was situated within her ward, she did not have to declare an interest as no one had contacted her directly regarding the proposals.”

“The Planning Officer responded to questions asked and explained that the proposals were acceptable. He stated that the apartment building would be well managed by Wolverhampton Homes and that he and the Police believed the development would improve the area.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission subject to the recommended conditions, including controls on construction, contamination, drainage, landscaping, parking and affordable housing.

“Resolved: That planning application 25/00604/FUL be granted subject to the following conditions: Three-year timescale to commence development. Approved plans and documents. Submission of demolition and construction management plan and method statement. Implementation of protective tree fencing. Compliance with Arboricultural Appraisal. Contaminated land assessment, remediation measures and implementation. Submission of additional drainage information. 8.”

“Implementation and retention of car parking. Details of management company for management and maintenance of the building, communal parking and amenity spaces. Obscure glazing to Pilkington level 4 or above for windows marked as such on submitted plans…”

Minutes