Dudley Council to rule on flats plan for historic industrial site in Netherton

A historic industrial building in Netherton could be in for big changes if plans are approved for conversion into homes. The building, on the junction of Kingsley Street and Bell Road, is currently a disused former factory and warehouse for production and sales of spare parts for British motorcycles.

A proposal has been submitted to Dudley Council for a change of use into 11 single bedroom flats with a courtyard and parking all on site. A report from BNP Architects in support of the application said: “By retaining the existing buildings on site we ensure that the property will have additional character which will make the flats more desirable.

“By retaining and retrofitting what is already there, we reduce the carbon footprint of the development by using less materials and energy. “The scheme also proposes to respectfully restore a piece of history as one of the buildings on site is almost 100 years old and has served a multitude of uses.”

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Historical documents show the site was originally a brewery before becoming a bakery in the 1930s and subsequently being converted into a foundry around three decades later. Also during the 1960s part of the plot was home to an Army Cadet Centre and, while the surrounding area has become mostly residential, a factory also at the junction of Kingsley Street and Bell Road still produces motorcycle spares.

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The proposal includes provision for 11 parking spaces at the rear of the plot and part of the existing roof will be removed to create the courtyard running through the centre of the development. There are no protected trees on the site and developers have committed to retaining a prominent silver birch on land adjacent and having a no dig policy during construction to protect its root structure.