New flats proposed for Norton Road next to Mary Stevens Park

Plans to build nine one-bedroom flats next to the One Stop convenience store have been submitted to Dudley Council's planning department but highways chiefs have already recommended a rethink of the scheme which they say fails to include enough parking spaces or adequate access for people with disabilities.

The planning application seeks permission to build a three-storey block with three one-bed flats on each floor and it is a resubmission of a previously withdrawn scheme submitted last September.

Each flat would include a kitchen/diner-living area, a bathroom, one bedroom and a store room.

The building, next to number 1 Norton Road, would be accessed from Norton Road, where the front door would be located - with steps and a ramp leading up to it.

A side entrance would also be provided on the ground floor to enable occupiers safe and easy access into the building from the car park.

The application says the scheme would include nine parking spaces in a car park at the back which would be accessed via Worcester Street.

An internal cycle store is also proposed at the rear to accommodate six bicycles, accessed from the car park.

The application says outline consent for three terraced homes was granted twice in 1990 but never implemented and the site was last used in 2014 for a hand car wash which had operated without planning consent. It has also previously been used for a small second hand car sales lot, for which planning permission was rejected, but has essentially been vacant for about 35 years.

The current bid for planning permission says: "The current proposals would greatly improve the appearance of the site, and wider street scene and provide much needed housing, in the form on 1 bedroom apartments.

"The proposals perfectly align with both national and local planning policy which strongly advocate the re-use of brownfield land."

Planning documents add: "The new design solution seeks to emulate the three-storey building on the corner of Norton Road and Worcester Street. The development would create an additional nine homes supporting the government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of housing.

"The scheme provides nine one-bedroom flats on previously development land which is currently derelict and under-utilised, creating a net increase in dwellings.

"The development would be accessible for wheelchair users and provide an option of smaller homes for a range of people whose needs are not currently met within the area. The additional economic benefits will ensure the longevity of local businesses, services and facilities to the benefit of the community as a whole. The development would create a well-designed built environment comprising architecturally interesting buildings that complement the street scene."

Highways chiefs, however, say they are "unable to support the application in its current form" as it does not comply with the minimum parking standards policy to provide 1.2 spaces per apartment. They say parking for disabled people should be provided and no details of electric vehicle charging points have been supplied with the application.