Apartment plans for historic factory site under spotlight

Walsall planning chiefs are set to discuss plans for housing on a historic factory site today.

Fusion Holdings Midlands want to build 12 flats on the site of the former Eclipse Works on Parker Street, Bloxwich in plans that would see the demolition of existing single storey building and the retention and conversion of an existing two storey building.

The proposed development will be split into three elements – the conversion and retention of the existing locally listed two storey building into two flats, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor.

A row of three terrace buildings adjacent 152 Parker Street would accommodate a total of six flats, three on the ground and three at first floor, while a pair of semi-detached buildings adjacent the retained building would accommodate four flats.

However, the Coal Authority has objected to the plans after a mine entry was discovered.

The planning document said: “The Coal Authority have objected to the proposal on the grounds that further information and evidence should be obtained from the developer following intrusive site investigations to locate the mine entry and an assessment made of its current condition. The findings of these investigations should then be used to inform the layout of the development in order to ensure that adequate separation is provided between the mine entry and the built development proposed.”

It is expected that the planning committee will defer the decision to planning officers who will grant approval if the issues with the mine entry can be solved.

The document said: “The proposed residential development and conversion of the locally listed building is reflective of the residential character of the area whilst maintaining an element of industrial history of the site.”