THERE were cheers from campaigners fighting plans to stop a new convenience store being built on a Wordsley pub car park when council planners threw out the scheme this evening (Monday).

Members of Dudley Council's development control committee refused to grant planning permission for a new Co-op store to be built on The Ashwood pub car park off Sandringham Place - going against the recommendation of planning officers who had recommended approval.

Council officers had stated the development proposed by NewRiver Retail, which bought the pub from Marston's, would have "no adverse effect on residential amenity of highway safety" and committee chairman Councillor Qadar Zada told members he couldn't see "any planning grounds on which this can be refused".

But councillors were adamant residents wanted to see the scheme rejected and they turned it down over concerns about whether there would be enough parking spaces for both the store and the pub, the congestion the development would cause in the surrounding area - and the adverse effect it would have on nearby businesses.

Councillor David Vickers said: "It's a very popular pub. On the weekend you can't park on the car park. I believe we should listen to the councillors for the area and the residents and if they don't want it we should not be letting it happen."

Councillor Christine Perks said: "Wordsley Green is full of shops and the Red Lion nearby has been a Sainsbury's for some time. It's ridiculous to say they're going to put a Co-op on this car park and reduce car parking for the Ashwood to 14. I totally disagree with it.

"I think we should look at the wishes of the local people. The Co-op was started by the people for the people and it seems this is going against the people."

A spokesman for NewRiver Retail said the company would have to decide whether to take the matter to appeal and added: "The grounds given for refusal, we believe, will not be sustainable by the local authority at appeal.

"We have taken great steps to ensure this application was compliant with the council's policy."

Town planner Ben Raynor, who spoke on behalf of NewRiver Retail, had told the meeting highways officers were satisfied the scheme was "acceptable subject to extra conditions" and the development and retention of the pub would boost boost the vitality of the area.

But residents, who were not convinced, clapped and cheered when the scheme was refused.

Stephen Bannister, of Sandringham Road, said: "I'm over the moon that it's been rejected."

Wordsley Labour councillor Derrick Heminsgley said: "It's a great victory for the community. If it goes to appeal we'll fight it."

Fellow ward councillor Paul Brothwood (UKIP) added: "I'm elated. It's what local residents wanted - the system works."

A similar plan, which would have seen the Maypole Inn in Halesowen demolished to make way for a new Co-op store, was also refused at the meeting.

However - a plan to build a convenience store on the car park belonging to The Crown at Netherton was given the go-ahead.