A property developer has submitted its fourth set of plans for a site in Brownhills, hoping to finally secure permission to demolish an existing bungalow and build new housing.
A History of Rejected Proposals
Morethan Property Ltd is once again seeking to redevelop 205 High Street. The journey began in 2023 when the company's first application to demolish former offices and erect a block of seven self-contained apartments was refused by Walsall Council. Planners rejected it due to the building's proximity to a neighbouring home and concerns that vehicle access would cause unacceptable pollution from noise, light and fumes.
In 2024, the company changed tack and applied to convert the property into an eight-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). Despite a petition from nearby residents opposing the plans, this application was approved by the council's planning committee. The developer described this HMO permission as a ‘fall-back position’.
Latest Attempt Mirrors Approved Design
Earlier in 2025, Morethan returned to a concept similar to its first, proposing a 3.5-storey building with seven apartments. This too was refused. Council planners said the building would be too overbearing, that vehicles would create unacceptable pollution for residents, and that the application failed to provide mitigation for the nearby Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation.
The new, fourth application hopes to succeed where others failed. It seeks to demolish the bungalow and construct six one-bedroom apartments. Crucially, the size and appearance of the proposed building are more similar to the already-approved HMO plans than the previously refused apartment block.
Details of the New Scheme
The fresh proposal includes six parking bays, one allocated for each flat. Future residents would also have access to a large communal garden at the rear of the property. The outcome of this latest submission to Walsall Council's planning department is now awaited.
This persistent series of applications highlights the ongoing challenges and negotiations involved in urban development, particularly on sensitive sites close to existing homes and protected environmental areas.
