Flats plans for eyesore toy shop thrown out

Moves to demolish a long-standing eyesore and create apartments in Willenhall have been thrown out by council planners amid concerns over land stability and their appearance.

Proposals to pull down the former Dainty’s toy shop which has been in a state of disrepair for well over a decade were put forward by the site owners.

But planning officers have refused the scheme with concerns including the design, suitability of residential use and vehicle movements close to the site off Stafford Street.

An application was submitted to Walsall Council for 10 flats in a two to three-storey apartment block on the site.

The couple who own the property in Willenhall town centre were last year ordered to pay more than £1,200 in fines and costs after failing to clean it up the building.

Raj and Geeta Gupta, of Dudley, were told to do the work but were then brought before Walsall Magistrates Court after failing to comply.

An application to regenerate the site was put forward on behalf of them by PL and HP Associates.

What should be done to the building? Should it be knocked down completely or converted into something else? Leave your comments below.

It said: «The majority of the property has been vacant for some considerable time. It operated most recently as a retail outlet selling children’s toys, bicycles and baby carriages, with storage above and to the rear.

«Since it has proved impossible to finance the refurbishment of the existing building, with the added burden of finding a tenant to make the scheme viable, it is now proposed to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new building to provide low cost rented social accommodation.»

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See also: MP lodges objection to Walsall luxury housing scheme.

But in a decision notice published on the council website, head of planning David Elsworthy said: «There is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that the land stability issues as a result of former mine workings on the site.

«The complete demolition and loss of the late 18th century or early 19th century vernacular building in a prominent corner plot is entirely unjustified in the absence of a structural survey and would be significantly harmful to the character and appearance of the Willenhall Conservation Area.»

The council took the owners to court after serving a notice for works including removing dirt and algae, reinstating gutters and carrying out fresh painting was issued in 2012.

But only minimal work was carried out and they admitted not complying with the order at court last year.

See also: 27 homes to be built on Willenhall wasteland.

Source: http://www.expressandstar.com