New apartments set to be built on site of old nursery school in Walsall

Developer Jatinder Samra’s proposals to Walsall Council planners to create a new block of 14 two-bedroom flats on Lichfield Road in Bloxwich has been given the go-ahead by planners.

The site, on the junction with Stoney Lane, used to be home to Millfields Nursery, which has since relocated to be based at Walsall Academy further along the road.

The old nursery building was demolished more than 10 years ago and the site has sat empty ever since.

As part of the application, 14 car parking spaces will be provided along with cycle storage on the site.

Agents PJ Planning said the development was sustainable, would have no harmful impacts and brought with it substantial benefits.

They said: “The proposal supports strong, vibrant and healthy communities by proposing two-bedroom accommodation within easy access of local amenities and public transport.

“The proposal also includes provision for cycle parking, which encourages healthier lifestyle choices for the future occupiers.

“The proposal could provide short and longer-term employment opportunities through the construction and management phase of the development.

“It makes use of a brownfield site, which complies with core land use planning principles that include the need to ‘encourage the effective use of land by reusing land that has been previously developed (brownfield land), provided that it is not of high environmental value.’

“Sustainably located sites should be well-related to existing services, not be in an area of high flood risk and should not over strain existing infrastructure and utilities.

“The application site is not located within a flood risk zone and is well served by existing infrastructure. (It) is within walking distance to local bus stops and is well served by educational facilities, a public house and a local newsagent.

“The proposed development is unlikely to result in any significant transport implications, which might harm the surrounding highway.

“Furthermore, the proposals include the provision of on site car parking and cycle parking and provides easy access for pedestrians to reach the surrounding public transport facilities

“The level of traffic generated by the proposed development is likely to be less than the level of traffic that was generated by the former nursery use.

"Therefore, the transport implications in this instance are likely to be negligible.”