Five big planning decisions made for Dudley, including a controversial car dealership
Planners at Dudley Council have made five major decisions on key applications for th borough
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1. Village Hotel extension
Dudley Council has given the go-ahead for major extension work at a Black Country hotel which will add 39 new rooms.
The authority approved an upgrade at the Village Hotel on Castlegate Park in Dudley.
The plan will see the removal of three existing rooms at the 124-room complex which boasts other facilities including a gym and swimming pool.
The new rooms will be in a four storey building and linked to the main complex by a bridge at first floor level.
2. Controversial car dealership in Stourbridge
The council has also granted retrospective permission for a controversial project at a car dealership in Stourbridge.
An application from Prestwood Garage on Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, for a retaining wall, tarmac hardstanding and a fence attracted more than 100 objections from neighbouring residents and local councillors.
After visiting the site planners allowed the application, they were told by council planning officers the project would not result in any significant harm.
Objectors raised a number of concerns, including a risk of flooding which may affect the neighbouring Katie Fitzgerald’s entertainment venue.
3. Care home refused
Council planners have refused permission to convert a Dudley dwelling into a residential care home for up to three children or young people.
The application sought permission for a change of use from a newly constructed four-bedroom detached house at 36 New Rowley Road.
The house is one of four new build houses sited next to each other on the road, in April 2024 planners refused permission to convert all four houses into care homes.
Among reasons for refusal, planners said: “The proposed use, as a result of its nature would place unreasonable demands and costs on local social and police services and would have an unacceptable effect on the local community and community cohesion through a realistic fear of crime.”
4. HMO extension in 18th century building
An application to increase the capacity of an 18th century building currently being used as a home of multiple occupation (HMO) has been refused.
Dudley planners had been asked to increase the current capacity of The Red House Care Home, The Village, Kingswinford, from six people to ten.
Planners concluded allowing the application would unbalance the community in the area, increase the risk of crime and create parking problems.
5. New unit on an industrial estate
Plans for a new unit on an industrial estate at Faraday House, King William Street, Amblecote have been approved.
The new two story unit will accommodate an engineering workshop and equipment already housed on the site.
Planners added a number of conditions in granting permission, including that the unit will not operate before 8am or after 6pm Monday to Saturday and not at all on Sundays.
