A DOMINO'S pizza takeaway has been given the go-ahead to open at the site of a former butchers.

The popular pizza chain will open a new takeaway on the corner of Wolverhampton Road and Leahouse Road in Oldbury.

The site was previously home to butcher Bowketts of Oldbury.

Notes to planners said: “The unit is believed to have been vacant since approximately 2019, therefore introducing an alternative use will provide an active frontage, encouraging footfall and expanding the evening economy along Wolverhampton Road improving its vitality and viability as an edge of centre location.

“As such it is considered that the application … will help to revitalise the parade.

“Sufficient extraction and ventilation equipment has been proposed to ensure noise and odours are minimised to an acceptable level for nearby residents.

“It is considered that sufficient parking is provided for all the units users, without compromising the safety of the surrounding highways.

“Overall, The proposed change of use will occupy a new vacant unit providing an active use and frontage that will help improve local vitality, increasing local footfall and providing job opportunities for local people.”

Sandwell Council approved plans by developer Vinny Singh to turn the former butcher’s shop into a six-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) with two new ground floor shops in 2021.

This decision came after the council rejected a move to turn the building into a bar in 2019.

Work had already started on the unauthorised conversion that year before it was halted and a planning application was submitted.

Mr Singh had also turned to the government’s planning inspector, who has the power to overrule the council, in a bid to get the decision overturned but the appeal was also rejected.

The proposal from Domino's was approved by Sandwell Council planners with its agreed opening hours 11am to 11pm every day.