Bid for house on former Cradley Heath beer garden thrown out

An application to build a detached house in what was the beer garden of the former Boat pub at 141, Station Road, has been turned down by planners at Sandwell Council.

The Canal and River Trust objected over worries that work could affect the land stability of Dudley Canal and Blackheath tunnel.

It also transpired that the trust owns part of the land which would be needed to make the new house's garden large enough to meet regulations.

The former beer garden land (Image: Google)

A report by planners states: "It has been confirmed that part of the land to the rear of the site adjacent the canal is owned by the Trust and they are not willing to sell this at this point in time.

"Furthermore, matters remain unresolved in relation to the land stability.

"The scheme as outlined showed one dwelling with parking to side and rear garden amenity, in design terms it fitted well within the existing street frontage and accorded with parking and spatial standards.

"Unfortunately, in the absence of the Trust land to the rear, the spatial standards will no longer work as the development will not provide sufficient amenity.

The land backs onto the Dudley canal (Image: Google satellite)

"Furthermore, the Trust also remains concerned about land instability and these matters remain unresolved, despite additional time being given to provide further cross sections and foundations designs which have been reviewed by the Trust.

"Therefore, given the above constraints, and due the proximity of the site to the canal/Blackheath tunnel, in this instance planning permission is refused due to land stability and insufficient garden amenity to serve the proposed development"

One neighbour objected over concerns about the design and impact on views.

How the new house would have looked (Image: Thorne Architecture)

The former Boat pub has been converted into a house.