A PROPOSAL to flatten a shed sales business's existing site in Cradley to make way for an apartment block has been submitted to planners.

The application to demolish Himley Garden Buildings on Cradley Forge has been lodged with Dudley Council.

It proposes to build a three-storey apartment block housing seven apartments - two apartments would be on the ground floor, three on the first floor and another three on the second floor.

The 26-year-old business would continue if planning permission was granted. 

Himley Garden Buildings owner Mark Cutler said it would move to a different site within the borough.

He is considering three potential sites to cope with increased demand. 

Notes to planners state: "The application site presently comprises a small light industrial unit with associated access, parking and external storage areas."

They go on: "This planning application proposes the clearance of all existing buildings and structures from the site and their replacement with a new residential block comprising seven apartments, with associated access, parking areas and a private amenity space to the rear."

Halesowen News: How the apartment block would look (Design by Simpatico Town Planning)How the apartment block would look (Design by Simpatico Town Planning)

The scheme would provide three one-bedroom apartments, three two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment.

Five of the apartments would have balconies overlooking the River Stour to the north.

The application states: "Given the positioning of the proposed building towards the front of the site, and away from the existing residential properties to the west, it is considered that the scheme represents an opportunity to make a design break between old and new, and to introduce a more ambitious, bespoke three-storey building which would make a positive contribution to the street scene and to the character of the wider area."

Halesowen News: The proposed site layout (Pic by Simpatico Town Planning)The proposed site layout (Pic by Simpatico Town Planning)

It goes on to say the block would "provide new homes" and would "achieve a more efficient use of an available brownfield site, meeting a clear housing need in the local community without causing any detriment to the amenity of the area or to the existing residents."

There would be seven car parking spaces.

The application, in the Cradley and Wollescote Ward, will be considered by planners at Dudley Council.