Dudley Council planners have refused permission for a £4m four-storey apartment block in the town centre after a heritage officer described the design as a 'dull rectangular box' that looks 'prison-like'. The proposed development, earmarked for a car park in St James' Road, would have delivered eight two-bedroom apartments, 12 one-bedroom units and 14 off-street parking spaces.
The refusal was confirmed in council notes that said the contemporary design, architectural detailing, materials, scale and overall appearance would fail to respond positively to the prevailing historic character and local distinctiveness of the area. The notes added that the proposal would appear visually discordant within its traditional setting and would fail to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.
Heritage officer's scathing assessment
In a report from Dudley Council's Historic Environment Team, the council's historic environment officer was highly critical of the design. The officer said the design and access statement from Lapworth Architects did not accurately describe the building, noting that it mentioned courtyards, stepping down roof heights and recessed balconies—none of which were part of the actual design.
The officer went on to describe the building as a 'dull rectangular box lacking articulation', which had been enlivened by 'gobbing on some balconies and variations in materials'. The combination of blue brick at the plinth, red brick, and grey metal cladding made the structure look 'rather top heavy', with the officer concluding that the blue brick and grey cladding combination looked 'particularly oppressive and prison-like'.
Architect defends the proposal
Despite the refusal, Lapworth Architects defended the scheme. Mike Kalam, director at Lapworth Architects, said in the design and access statement: 'Our design draws on Dudley's rich heritage while delivering a contemporary architectural response. It's not just about creating homes—it's about shaping places that elevate daily living. We've worked hard to ensure this scheme feels at home in its setting, but is clearly of its time.'
The architects also issued a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, acknowledging that while the site itself lacks intrinsic heritage features, its location within the conservation area necessitates a respectful and carefully considered response. They said the proposal complements the conservation area's mixed character and diverse built form through its scale, material selection, and façade articulation, and reflects the firm's proven expertise in delivering high quality, context-sensitive developments in historic and evolving town centres.
Impact of the decision
The rejection means the car park site in St James' Road will remain undeveloped for now. The council's refusal notes make clear that the principle of development on the site was accepted, but the design was deemed unsuitable for the conservation area. No revised plans have been submitted at this stage, and it remains unclear whether Lapworth Architects will amend the design or appeal the decision.
