Planning Briefs: Lidl; Serenity; Mar City
Development of a controversial supermarket in Birmingham is set to begin immediately after its operator secures permission for demolition work.
Lidl UK has applied to Birmingham City Council for consent to demolish the former Fitness First and bowling alley in Pershore Road, Stirchley.
The building is currently empty after the gym closed at the end of May.
The local community had objected strongly to the original application, claiming the loss of two such amenities would deprive the area of valuable resources.
The anger has not abated and many of the original objectors are still opposed to the development – consequently they have objected to the demolition plans.
However, the city council, which approved the redevelopment plan earlier this year, has said the demolition scheme is acceptable and consistent with other demolition schemes in the city.
Demolition would start on Monday June 26 pending planning clearance at Thursday’s (June 22) planning committee.
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A Birmingham beauty clinic has applied for planning permission to convert offices in Birmingham into its new base.
Serenity, which has been operating in the city centre for the last 20 years, had previously been based at 36 Temple Street but has had to surrender the property to the landlord.
It is now operating from temporary facilities at nearby 43 Temple Street. It wants to relocate to more permanent premises as close to its original location as possible.
It has identified space on the first floor of Cheltenham House, 14-16 Temple Street. The new premises would consist of three treatment rooms, a manicure treatment area and reception area but in order to do so will require a change of use.
Chartered surveyors Johnson Fellows is acting for the firm.
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The site of the proposed housing scheme in Perry Barr
Housing developer Mar City has applied to Birmingham City Council for planning permission to construct 20 new homes on land in Perry Barr.
The applicant is proposing to build the homes on land at 435 Walsall Road, next to Tower Hill Medical Centre. The development, comprising 12 two-bed homes, two three-bed homes and six four-bed homes, would be accessed from Walsall Road.
Mar City has also made an offer of £130,000 for off-site affordable housing or off-site public open space.
Perry Hall Community Association has objected to the scheme, claiming a previous approved use for the site for sheltered/assisted housing would be better as there are a large number of older residents in the area.
It claims parking would also be a problem, especially with the doctor’s surgery right next door. Access on to the busy A34 Walsall Road would also not be ideal.
The city council, mindful of the objection, said that generally across the city the need for three-bed room accommodation was being met but the need for two and four-bed and larger was not.
It said this development, where 90% of units have two or four-bedrooms, would contribute towards the need.
The application will be debated at Thursday’s (June 22) planning committee.
