New twist on apartment block road where fire engines and garbage trucks are blocked and parking at ‘full capacity’

A move to build flats on top of a post office has been blocked by an inspector over fears it would increase parking chaos in Cape Hill. Sandwell Council has twice refused planning applications to build flats above Cape Hill Post Office in Smethwick due to a failure to include enough new parking spaces in a congested area already plagued by parking and congestion problems.

The council said surrounding roads were already at “maximum capacity” and had received many complaints about “inconsiderate” parking in Cape Hill – with busy roads and junctions blocking fire engines and waste workers. Developer Renovate Concepts, which said the proposed flats were in a “sustainable” location with good public transport links, appealed the latest decision – but the appeal was unsuccessful and the government planning inspector sided with the council.

Sandwell’s planners said both planning applications only promised one off-street parking space – well below what would be required for the original eight-flat proposal and then the six-flat plan that followed. Up to four car parks have been hastily added in a bid to meet the plans – but both the council and the Government planning inspector said they were still not enough.

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The planning inspector said the four spaces could not be used independently of each other and, with the post office remaining open, would not be saved for residents. “The impracticalities would compromise the use of spaces, which in turn could lead to instances of inconsiderate or obstructive parking, to the detriment of highway and pedestrian safety,” the inspector said.

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“Given the shortage of parking together with the limitations and impracticality of the proposed off-street parking, I consider it highly likely that the demand for on-street parking near the appeal site will increase.” Sandwell Council planners rejected the original move by Renovate Concepts, saying all eight flats included would not meet national space standards.

While the space issue was later addressed in the six-apartment plan, concerns about a lack of parking remained. Sandwell Council’s highways department criticized both applications, saying each flat required at least on-street parking space as well as visitor space.