Plans have been given the green light to demolish a fire-ravaged former shop in Bearwood and replace it with a new residential and retail development. The scheme will see a three-storey building erected on the site, providing nine new flats and a ground-floor commercial unit.
From Blaze to Blueprint: The Aftermath of the Fire
The site at the corner of Bearwood Road and Anderson Road was the scene of a major incident in the early hours of May 16 this year. More than 70 firefighters from West Midlands Fire Service were deployed to tackle the intense blaze, which destroyed most of the structure and left the former Ex-Catalogue Direct shop roofless. The fire service later confirmed that evidence of a cannabis farm was discovered within the building during their investigations.
Following the fire, the property was declared structurally unsafe. The new application, submitted in September by Manchester-based Birchpark Investments Ltd, seeks to revitalise the vacant and damaged plot. A statement supporting the application argued the project would "provide new, high quality, residential accommodation in a sustainable location" and encourage future regeneration in Bearwood.
Overcoming Planning Hurdles and Parking Concerns
This approval marks a significant shift for the site. Just a year earlier, in 2024, Sandwell Council's planners rejected a separate proposal to convert the shop into a shisha lounge and cocktail bar. That application was refused on grounds that it would be "over intensive and inappropriate," with an enclosed shisha lounge deemed illegal under smoking bans. Planners also feared it would generate excessive noise and require an estimated 55 parking spaces, exacerbating problems on the surrounding cramped streets.
The newly approved flats plan notably includes no on-site parking provision. The developer suggested residents could use spaces on surrounding roads, despite council highways rules typically requiring at least 12 spaces for a development of this scale. The council's planning committee ultimately approved the application, accepting the argument for a car-free development in a sustainable location.
A New Chapter for the Anderson Road Corner
The approved design will see the complete demolition of the fire-damaged structure. In its place, a modern three-storey building will be constructed, offering a fresh commercial opportunity on the ground floor and nine flats across the upper floors. The decision paves the way for the transformation of a derelict, fire-scarred site into active use, aiming to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Bearwood area.
This outcome contrasts sharply with the site's recent history, moving from a proposed venue that raised concerns about intensity and legality to a residential-led scheme focused on adding to the local housing stock. The development is now set to proceed, closing the chapter on the dramatic fire that gripped the neighbourhood earlier this year.
