Move to convert empty Smethwick banqueting hall into warehouses
A move to convert a former banqueting hall into new warehouses should be approved according to a recommendation by a council’s planning department.
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The now empty Victoria Palace banqueting hall in Pope Street, Smethwick, would be transformed into warehouses, offices and industrial units with the plans set to go before councillors next week.
Sandwell Council said the application would be decided by its planning committee as a petition against the move signed by 11 people had been submitted.
Objectors in the adjacent housing estate said they were concerned by the site using the busy Lewisham Road as an exit with residents already struggling to exit their driveways and the area already suffering from parking problems when a nearby banqueting suite holds functions.
But the council’s planners have recommended the application is approved by the committee when it meets in Oldbury on Wednesday, June 4.
The report said the ‘shell’ of the former banqueting hall was dilapidated and its former car park had become a site for fly-tipping.
The application proposes converting the hall into two new warehouses with new extensions, creating office space and four two-storey industrial units.
The report by the local authority’s planning officers said: “The proposal is an acceptable use in an existing industrial area which is safeguarded for employment uses in the development plan.
“No significant concerns are raised regarding the design of the amended proposal or the impact of the change of use in this location subject to a noise impact assessment being undertaken and any required mitigation measures being implemented prior to development being brought into use.
“Furthermore, the proposal would bring back into use a currently empty site and dilapidated building.”
The council added: “The head of highways have reviewed the use of this exit and are satisfied it raises no significant concerns with regards to highway safety.
“As an exit point, no vehicles associated with the development would queue on Lewisham Road to access the site and users exiting the site would be able to view front facing any residents reversing from their private driveways.
“Furthermore, double yellow lines are located on both side of Lewisham Road to prevent any dangerous parking.”
